Shropshire potatoes firm says no final decision on site closure

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.

"I wonder if they are going to continue to operate in the area or pull out all together?

"It's always terrible news when a local business closes."

Councillor Tim Beckett, mayor of Market Drayton, said: "This is bad news as a lot of people from the town work there and the local economy could lose out. I think it will have a knock-on effect.

"We are not talking about nine or 10 jobs, we are talking of 190, which is a big figure.

"It's such a shame – we recently had Muller expanding in the town and jobs were created following the opening of the butter plant.

"But these new jobs we gained could be wiped out if Greenvale closes."

Mark Whittle, chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "That is a body blow for the town. I am extremely sorry to hear that it might go. They are one of the biggest employers of the town. Hopefully people will be able to find other employment in the town."

Oliver Cartwright, Shropshire NFU spokesman, said: "This is the loss of a major player in the potato market so it is significant for the county and local employment.

"Obviously we have sympathy with those losing their jobs and we will have to wait to see further details as to how and what impact the closure will have on Shropshire potato growers.

"However, the firm has other sites and has made a business decision to strengthen the company."

Greenvale has begun a 45-day consultation period with its staff which will end on May 12.

Bosses say this is when a final decision on the proposal will be announced to their employees.

The company anticipates that moving would create about 50 posts at its other sites in Scotland and Cambridgeshire and it would support the transfer of Tern Hill employees to those locations.

Reduced

If the closure is confirmed, the firm believes production at its Shropshire site would continue in a reduced capacity until August.

The company says the proposed move has come about following a review of its current operations.

It said a significant amount of future investment was needed at the Tern Hill site.

Angus Armstrong, chief executive of Greenvale, said: "The business continually reviews its core capacities and recent efficiency improvements mean that with slight modifications at the two remaining packing sites at Duns in the Scottish Borders and Floods Ferry in Cambridgeshire an opportunity exists to rationalise the number of sites.

"We regret any potential redundancies and will do all we can to look after the people affected."

He stressed growers in the west of England would "not see any adverse change" if the Tern Hill site was to close as a lot of the potatoes currently packed at the site came from Scotland and the east of England.

Founded more than 40 years ago, Greenvale handles 600,000 tonnes of potatoes every year and supplies major retailers and food manufacturers.