Potato firm in job axe fear

A major supplier of potatoes in the UK today announced that jobs could be lost at its north Shropshire site.

Bosses of Greenvale AP, at Stoke Heath near Market Drayton, has confirmed redundancies could be made as they look to "redirect" the business to suit customer and industry needs.

Andy Clarkson, general manager at the Greenvale AP Stoke Heath site, said about 50 members of staff could be affected by the proposed cuts at the firm, which currently employs about 220 people at its potato packing operation in Stoke Heath.

Mr Clarkson said: "I can confirm we have entered into a period of consultation with some of our staff with a view to restructuring the needs of our staffing at the site, in line with our business needs.

"Our customers' demands and the demands from the industry have changed and we need to redirect the business in line with that."

He said the consultation was asking staff their thoughts on proposed new structures within the company.

The consultation is taking place throughout this month and it is hoped a decision will be made at the end of the month or early in May.