Young’s Seafood today (3 January) announced that a total of 555 jobs could go at recently-acquired rival UK firm Cumbrian Seafoods.

Last month, Young’s acquired Cumbrian after the company declared bankruptcy. Since then, executives from Young’s have reviewed operations at the former Cumbrian Seafoods sites and concluded its business model needs restructuring. As a result 363 jobs in Seaham, 112 jobs in Whitehaven and 80 jobs at the Border Laird site in Amble are under threat.

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Pete Ward, chief operating officer of Young’s, said: “We want to ensure that we deliver quality products for our customers in the most effective and efficient way.

“This move does not reflect on the committed and skilled teams in Seaham, Whitehaven and Amble, who are continuing to work hard through this time, which is a huge credit to the whole workforce.

“However, it is clear from the fact that the business went into administration that the current business model is not viable. We continue to be focussed on fulfilling customer contracts and talking, in detail, with the employees about options for the future.”

Young’s said it will further investigate the integration and servicing of customer contracts and further announcements will follow.

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Representatives from the Unite union were not immediately available for comment.

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