Tayto Group, the UK-based snacks maker, is assessing the future of a plant on the south-west coast of England run by Portlebay Popcorn, the business it acquired more than two years ago.

Tayto, headquartered in Tandragee in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, bought Devon-based Portlebay Popcorn out of administration early in 2017. Its factory is in Plymton, Plymouth.

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Media reports suggest the Portlebay Popcorn facility is due to close in December, when production will shift to Tayto’s plant in Tandragee, with employees speculating the plan revolves around logistics.

A spokesperson for Tayto said in a statement: “As you will understand, this is a delicate and difficult time for our colleagues at the Portlebay site and therefore we are only able to confirm that we have entered into consultation with the colleagues on site regarding a proposal to move the production of popcorn from Plympton to our Northern Ireland site in Tandragee. As no decisions have been made yet, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Tayto has been expanding its snacking empire through acquisitions of late. It also owns the crisp brand Golden Wonder, Tavern Snacks, Pop Notch and The Real Pork Crackling Company

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