Pilgrim’s proposes closure of Ashton abattoir
Pilgrim’s UK has announced proposals to close its abattoir and butchery facility in Ashton, Greater
Manchester, with more than 500 members of staff potentially facing redundancy.
The proposals form part of the company’s ongoing footprint review and as the business, which has struggled financially in recent years, aims to ensures the best structure for its long-term growth and development, while ‘mitigating the current unfavourable market conditions in the UK’.
The initial phase of Pilgrim’s UK’s footprint review included the closure of its Coalville site and the imminent closure of the Bury St Edmunds site, as well as the introduction of a four-day week at Ashton in September 2022. In order to continue to optimise the business’ operational footprint, Pilgrim’s UK executive team has now proposed to close the Ashton site and transfer existing operations to its facilities in Spalding, Westerleigh and Bromborough.
Closure of the 70-year-old site would put all 542 Ashton staff, at all levels, at risk of redundancy. The proposals will, however, create 90 additional roles split between Westerleigh, Spalding and Bromborough. Pilgrim’s will now enter into a period of collective consultation with site union and employee representatives.
by Alistair Driver | Pig World
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