Beet factory finally closes
The Allscott sugar beet factory, which has dominated both the skyline and the farming industry in Shropshire for the last 80 years, finally closed today. The Allscott sugar beet factory, which has dominated both the skyline and the farming industry in Shropshire for the last 80 years, finally closed today. A handful of villagers stood by the gates early this morning to see the last deliveries drive into the sprawling complex, seven months after British Sugar revealed the factory was being axed. It is estimated up to 3,000 jobs will be affected as a result of the closure. More than 100 jobs will be lost directly. Although some staff will remain on site until the crystal sugar and sugar syrup has been removed, no more sugar beet will pass through the gates. Read the full story in the Shropshire Star
A handful of villagers stood by the gates early this morning to see the last deliveries drive into the sprawling complex, seven months after British Sugar revealed the factory was being axed.
It is estimated up to 3,000 jobs will be affected as a result of the closure. More than 100 jobs will be lost directly.
Although some staff will remain on site until the crystal sugar and sugar syrup has been removed, no more sugar beet will pass through the gates.
The factory has processed more than 600,000 tonnes of beet during this campaign but production is now being concentrated in the east of England with British Sugar's four remaining factories in Cantley and Wissington in Norfolk, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Newark, Nottinghamshire.
NFU West Midlands chairman Simon Latter said it was time to regroup and refocus. "For some people it will be easier to do this than others," he said.
"Those who are self-employed and served the factory direct will have to do some serious rethinking. But no-one likes change, especially when it is forced upon us. So maybe it's not about embracing that change but recognising it and doing something about it."
Agriculture Minister Lord Rooker, who was in Wroxeter yesterday as a guest of the Shropshire Chamber of Agriculture, said: "I appreciate the pressure because of the sugar closure on this part of the world and I know it is just impossible for people to send it to East Anglia.
"It is a commercial decision by British Sugar and I do not know what the future of the plant is."
Councillor Keith Austin, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "It's a sad day for all those affected by the closure of the Allscott sugar beet factory.
"The council together with a range of partners has for many months been working with and providing support to the many skilled employees who have lost jobs to help them to find new employment. Needless to say, this continues.
"While the factory's closure sees the end of an era for this industry here, we must not lose sight of the fact that Telford & Wrekin's economy remains very strong, with unemployment below the national average and significantly below the regional average.
"We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to generating new jobs and investment into the area through town centre development and regenerating the district centres."
As for British Sugar, the weekly factsheet handed to drivers leaving the factory said simply: "On behalf of all the beet intake staff and the agricultural team I would like to thank all growers and hauliers for their support and co-operation in this final campaign."
By Farming Correspondent Nathan Rous
