Pan-European snacks group Valeo Foods is to shut a confectionery facility in the UK.

In a statement, the Ireland-based group said it had notified staff of its decision to move production at the site in Pontefract to other, unspecified locations and wind down operations over the next year.

The move follows what Valeo described as "a strategic transformation review" of its confectionery operations to improve its "operational efficiency" and "strengthen" its private-label business.

Valeo confirmed to Just Food that 134 positions are at risk of redundancy out of the 196 people employed at the site.

The group's Pontefract location produces the Barratt brand's Anglo Bubbly bubble gum, as well as varieties of liquorice, sherbet, gummies and other confectionery.

Valeo has 30 facilities across the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Czechia, Slovakia and Canada.

According to the website of Valeo's UK business, the company manages ten manufacturing plants in the country.

Asked to which sites production will move, Valeo said: "The timing and sequencing of production transfers from Pontefract to other Valeo manufacturing sites as well as the relocation of office-based colleagues to an alternative site, will be determined as part of a phased closure plan in the months ahead."

In a statement, Kevin Moore, the CEO of Valeo's UK business, said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we fully recognise the impact it will have on our team and the wider community in Pontefract.

"Every possible option to continue manufacturing at the site was carefully reviewed. However, the level of investment needed to make the site competitive and sustainable long-term was found to be unviable, particularly given its proximity to other Valeo facilities in the UK.

"Collective consultation with employees and their representatives has now concluded and we will continue discussions on an individual basis regarding relocation, redundancy and outplacement support.”