Shropshire potatoes firm says no final decision on site closure
Bosses of a leading potato supplier insist no final decision has been made on the future of their Shropshire site – despite revealing plans to close it.
Speaking at Greenvale's site in Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, commercial director Andy Clarkson stressed the firm was going through a period of consultation before a final decision is made.
The move could result in the loss of 190 jobs, although the firm says 50 people could be relocated to its other sites in Cambridgeshire or Scotland.
Mr Clarkson said the situation of the staff was a priority for the company at the moment.
"It's not a final decision yet, it's a period of consultation," he said.
But he added: "From the point of view of the business it has been a difficult decision to make – but it is purely a business decision."
News that the Shropshire site could close was described as disastrous by one councillor, with the National Farmers Union (NFU) also expressing its disappointment.
Roger Hughes, Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton West, said: "This is disastrous news.
"There has been a plant on the site since the 1970s.
"They deal with a lot of local farmers. It is going to have a big impact on local farmers as well as employment.
