The prepared meals manufacturer is planning on building the new facility, known as Kitchen West, on the site of its former pie factory and an additional plot of land it acquired in 2021 that are sat next to each other on the Canal Road Industrial Estate in Trowbridge.
Lee Sheppard, director of corporate affairs, policy and sustainability at Apetito, has confirmed that an official proposal is now being drawn up ready for submission to the Wiltshire Planning Office.
Residents, local businesses and councillors will be invited to attend public consultations to give their feedback on the proposed plans prior to permission being sought for the new site.
Apetito employs around 2,000 people across the UK, with 670 of those based at its existing production kitchens located on the same industrial estate in Trowbridge.
The new facility will not detract from the production that currently takes place in Trowbridge and will instead be used to meet the increase in demand for Apetito meals.
“We are proud of our legacy in Trowbridge and want to keep the town as our home to support our teams and retain valued skills,” said Sheppard.
“We would like to consider the feedback of residents, Councillors, and local businesses at this early stage.
“It’s very important to us that we build a world-class, regenerative, manufacturing facility for Trowbridge that aligns to our commitment to reach Net Zero by 2040. We aim to create one of the most sustainable food manufacturing facilities in the UK. We are working with planners, local partners, and experts to deliver a site that the town can be proud of.”
Apetito supplies a wide array of prepared meals to the healthcare, education and social care sectors, while also delivering to thousands of customers each week through its meal delivery brand Wiltshire Farm Foods.
Last year, the firm donated 20,000 meals to food redistribution charities including FareShare and City Harvest London.
