Speedibake, a bakery business owned by the UK’s Associated British Foods, said it is proposing not to revive a facility ravaged by fire earlier this month because the cost is too significant to “make it a viable option”.

The manufacturing plant in the city of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was engulfed in flames on 1 February, completely destroying two buildings and causing “significant structural damage” to the rest of the site, a spokesperson confirmed to just-food.

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“We have carefully explored a number of options to try and keep the site open,” the spokesperson added. “With great regret, we consider that the financial cost and time needed to undertake a full rebuild is simply too great to make it a viable option.”

Consultations with employees are ongoing, although the firm said it is “open to alternative proposals”.

Speedibake has operated the facility since 1988. The company produces bread, muffins, doughnuts and garlic bread for the retail, foodservice and contract-catering channels, and is headquartered in the city of Bradford, also in West Yorkshire.

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The spokesperson said the company pledged to pay the workers for three months while it assessed the damage at the Colinsway plant in Wakefield. Another facility in Bradford remains operational and a production line has been transferred there, so a number of roles will be offered to some of the affected workers. Speedibake also plans to talk with other ABF-owned businesses in the region to try and find alternative jobs.

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“We know that this announcement will be deeply upsetting for many people and we give our absolute commitment that, if the proposals are accepted, we will support those affected to help them find alternative employment,” Speedibake said.