Talks taking place over Uniq desserts factory jobs

Discussions are taking place to discover whether employees at a Shropshire desserts factory that is preparing to axe 350 jobs could be found new positions in the county if possible.

Uniq Desserts plans to shed the jobs by next June as a result of the closure of its loss-making Everyday Desserts line.

Councillor Tudor Bebb and Mark Pembleton, head of economic development at Shropshire Council, recently visited the factory to discuss how the authority could assist the workforce.

Uniq, which is to be taken over by Irish food giant Greencore at the end of this month, is moving its premium range of desserts line from Minsterley to Somerset. But some products will continue to be made at the Shropshire site, with about 100 members of staff being retained.

Councillor Bebb said: "We met to see if we could work with them to help people find re-employment and to see if we can help in any way – either getting people relocated or jobs in the vicinity if that is possible. We are looking to see if that is possible."