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Britvic confirms Norwich factory closure | Britvic confirms Norwich factory closure |
(35 minutes later) | |
Britvic has confirmed it will leave its Norwich site, with the loss of hundreds of jobs in the city, in 2019. | Britvic has confirmed it will leave its Norwich site, with the loss of hundreds of jobs in the city, in 2019. |
The drinks manufacturer, which co-owns Carrow Works with Unilever, said it would transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its other sites. | The drinks manufacturer, which co-owns Carrow Works with Unilever, said it would transfer production of Robinsons and Fruit Shoot to its other sites. |
It said it would offer employees redeployment and "help to find alternative employment". | It said it would offer employees redeployment and "help to find alternative employment". |
The Unite union said the announcement just before Christmas was a bid to "bury bad news". | The Unite union said the announcement just before Christmas was a bid to "bury bad news". |
Britvic said it currently employed 249 people at the site, which it shares with Colman's Mustard. | |
Manufacturing will instead take place at Rugby, east London and Leeds. | Manufacturing will instead take place at Rugby, east London and Leeds. |
"Transferring production will improve efficiency and productivity and reduce our environmental impact," the company said. | "Transferring production will improve efficiency and productivity and reduce our environmental impact," the company said. |
The decision follows a consultation with employee representatives, including the GMB and Unite unions. | |
Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "This was not a proposal that we made lightly and we understand that the outcome of the collective consultation process will be upsetting for our colleagues in Norwich. | Chief executive Simon Litherland said: "This was not a proposal that we made lightly and we understand that the outcome of the collective consultation process will be upsetting for our colleagues in Norwich. |
"It is a sad and difficult time. | "It is a sad and difficult time. |
"I want to thank everyone at Norwich, past and present, for their dedication, hard work and commitment, and I would like to say again that this decision is in no way a reflection of their performance." | "I want to thank everyone at Norwich, past and present, for their dedication, hard work and commitment, and I would like to say again that this decision is in no way a reflection of their performance." |
The Unite union criticised the timing of the announcement and described the closure as "a hammer blow for the workers and the economy of Norwich in the run up Christmas". | The Unite union criticised the timing of the announcement and described the closure as "a hammer blow for the workers and the economy of Norwich in the run up Christmas". |
Its national officer for the food and drink sector, Julia Long, branded the announcement as "a classic case of trying to bury bad news". | Its national officer for the food and drink sector, Julia Long, branded the announcement as "a classic case of trying to bury bad news". |
The move by Britvic has been mooted for several months, with fears expressed for the future of Colman's Mustard, which has been manufactured at the site since 1860. | The move by Britvic has been mooted for several months, with fears expressed for the future of Colman's Mustard, which has been manufactured at the site since 1860. |
Unilever, which owns Colman's, has previously said it could shut the site if Britvic closed operations. | Unilever, which owns Colman's, has previously said it could shut the site if Britvic closed operations. |
It is conducting its own review and is looking at three sites in the city, including staying at Carrow Works. | It is conducting its own review and is looking at three sites in the city, including staying at Carrow Works. |
Unilever has been approached for comment. | Unilever has been approached for comment. |