Jobs go with Leicester confectionery factory to close

A factory in Leicester that manufactures Fox's Glacier Mints will be closed by the end of the year, with multiple job losses coming as part of the proposals.

The site, owned by Big Bear Confectionery, is currently still active and managers are working with staff to assist with job relocation while plans to cease production at the factory goes ahead.

So far, 17 members of staff have been moved on to other sites within the firm.

“Since the announcement to close the Sunningdale Road site in Leicester, Big Bear Confectionery has been providing ongoing support to all staff affected,” ​a spokesperson told Food Manufacture.​

Proactive engagement process​

“Arising from this proactive engagement process, 17 members of staff have already transitioned to other food manufacturing sites, across a range of departments and levels. ​

“Since the announcement to close the Sunningdale Road site in Leicester, Big Bear Confectionery has been providing ongoing support to all staff affected. As previously confirmed, the site is scheduled to cease trading at the end of the year​.”

A consultation surrounding the future of the factory was carried out in the spring, however the firm has not revealed any additional details at this stage.

Big Bear Confectionery is a subsidiary of Ireland-based Valeo Foods after a takeover in 2017. Valeo is one of Europe’s fastest growing consumer foods producers, with a portfolio of category leading brands, many of them iconic household names, such as Jacob’s crackers and XXX Strong Mints.

Sandwich and breads producer closes​

Meanwhile, last week Food Manufacture ​revealed that more jobs had been lost following the closure of sandwich and breads producer Café Class closed its doors following health warnings​.

The company was the subject of a Food Standards Agency (FSA) alert on 13 September for selling products not produced in accordance with food hygiene and legislative requirements. The FSA notice stated some products had been produced with a longer use-by date than that of some of their ingredients. In addition, one product intended for cooking had been used as ready-to-eat.

Café Class claimed it had ceased trading because the FSA notice had meant it had to supply products with one to two days of shelf-life, versus competitors’ products which had been allowed to claim longer shelf-lives.

Potato producer Swancote Foods’ sole Telford Factory​ also recently closed as a result of an unsustainable underlying performance.