Up to 60 jobs are to go at a bakery depot in Telford less than a year after it opened.Union officials today confirmed the British Bakeries plant on Stafford Park would close and the depot is likely to shut its doors in coming months.
Workers will also be left without redundancy pay because they have been working there for such a short period, it was revealed.
Merlita Bryan, from the Bakers’ Union, said it was working to get a pay settlement for its members.
“It is unfortunate timing because it has come soon after they worked to get it all set up,” she said.
“It will also be the time when people are getting organised for Christmas.”
Mrs Bryan said officials were meeting management and pressing for a date to be given for the closure to give staff certainty.
“We are hoping to get a pay settlement for members as there are not more jobs out there just waiting for them,” she said.
“It is a shame they have announced this less than a year after they started.”
The firm announced it was considering the closure last week and blamed a change in eating habits for a drop in business.
A British Bakeries spokesman said: “Closing a site is not a decision we take lightly. The move reflects an overall fall in bread consumption due to changing consumer habits.
“This has reduced the volume load placed on our logistics operation resulting in current overcapacity.
“We understand the impact these proposals will have on those affected and will work with them to ensure the reasons for these proposals and the options open to them are fully understood.”
The company also announced the proposed closure of a bakery in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
By Dave West
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