Spalding's Bakkavor Salads starts consultation on 250 jobs

A consultation has begun on the future of 250 jobs at a Spalding factory.

Bakkavor Salads is running a consultation to reduce roles at one of its factories at the West Marsh Lane site in order to ensure the site remains "sustainable".

The news comes a week after Gousto announced it was creating 400 new jobs at its factory in Marsh Lane, Spalding.

A spokesman said: "Bakkavor Salads is entering into a 45-day consultation period with 250 employees based at one of its factories at its Spalding site to propose a reduction in roles.

"We believe this reorganisation is necessary to ensure our factory remains sustainable for the future.

"If this proposal goes ahead, we will try to relocate employees wherever possible at local sites within the Bakkavor Group.

"We recognise this decision represents a difficult time for all the employees involved and this proposal is no reflection on their commitment and professionalism. Until the consultation process has been completed, we are unable to comment further.”

South Holland District Council's Portfolio holder for Growth and Commercialism Nick Worth has expressed his sadness for the people affected but stated the area's economy was doing well.

Coun Worth said: "I am sad that this is happening. The whole food industry is highly competitive and it often depends on the weather or if they are in a specialist area. Bakkavor group as a whole is doing very well. I have no real worries about the people affected picking up a job within the group or elsewhere in a short time."

- Earlier this year, Bakkavor closed its FreshCook site in Holbeach St Marks.