UK bakery Warburtons has confirmed it is to close its Giles Foods facility in Milton Keynes after a 45-day “full and meaningful” consultation period with its 218 workers at the site.
Warburtons attributed the move to “significant ongoing challenges facing the business, despite considerable time and financial investment”.
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A spokesperson said: “We have taken the difficult decision to close the Giles Foods bakery in Milton Keynes. Everyone impacted has been informed and we are now focused on supporting our people through this difficult time.”
The spokesperson added the bakery, which produces a range of own-label products including garlic breads, is “likely” to close at the end of 2017 though the exact date has yet to be confirmed.
In its most recent accounts, Giles Foods reported a pre-tax loss of GBP9.7m on a GBP22.7m turnover. The business said it had lost “certain major contracts” over the period.
Warburtons acquired Giles Foods for an undisclosed sum in 2013 when said it wanted to diversify its business.
