Jobs at risk as Dairy Crest axes Telford depot
Dairy Crest is to close its depot at Halesfield in Telford by the end of this month, putting a number of jobs at risk.
The company, which is also moving out of its base in Crudgington, said it faced having to make a small number of workers redundant as a result of the latest move, which will see work move to Wolverhampton.
Olivia Seccombe, a spokeswoman for Dairy Crest, said: "Following a review of our depot network and operating costs it has been decided to cease trading from the Halesfield depot by November 30.
"Regrettably, this closure may result in a small number of redundancies; however, every effort will be made to secure alternative employment at other depots.
"We will be entering into immediate consultation with our affected employees and their representatives and will provide a high level of HR support to meet their needs."
Twenty people work at the Halesfield depot in total.
Miss Seccombe added: "We will work with the depot teams to ensure the high level of service to our customers is maintained during the transfer and to make the transition for all those affected as smooth as possible."
Earlier this year, the Cathedral City cheese and Clover spread maker announced profits of £54.5 million but still said it would close down its Crudgington plant in a bid to rein in costs. However, in September it was announced 40 jobs had been saved through a new partnership between Dairy Crest and Harper Adams University.
The jobs, which had looked set to disappear at the firm's Crudgington dairy, will now transfer to the new food centre in the grounds of the university, near Newport.
Some customers who have been having their milk delivered from a local depot for years, said they were upset over the move.
Rob Henderson, from Wellington, said: "For years, we've refused to buy milk to try and keep the tradition of milkmen alive and we're really disappointed it's moving to Wolverhampton."
