Pork processor Tulip Ltd announced it is to close its sandwich facility Freshway Foods in a move which will see 208 jobs axed.

The firm issued a statement yesterday (21 March) attributing the decision to losing a contract with The Foodservice Centre Ltd which would result in “a 50% reduction in the site’s turnover, making it economically unsustainable to maintain operations”.

A 45-day consultation period began yesterday.

Kirsty Wilkins, group HR director for Tulip Ltd, said: “It is with great regret that Tulip Ltd announces formal consultation over a proposal to close Freshway Chilled Foods following the loss of core business with FSC after 18 successful years.

“Whilst we continue to explore ways in which we may be able to secure a future for the business we cannot see a viable alternative to closure at this point in time.

“A number of options are being discussed as part of the consultation process, including the possible redeployment of employees into alternative permanent roles at other Tulip sites. A review is also being carried out on whether spare capacity across various Tulip manufacturing sites may be utilised for the remaining business at the Freshway site.”

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