Following plans announced last year, the Wiltshire Farm Foods manufacturer has gained planning permission to build ‘Kitchen West’ – a new food production site.
The company applied in July 2025 to build its new facility; and less than a year on, Wiltshire Council has given the go-ahead.
The new site will sit on the Canal Road Industrial Estate in Trowbridge where its former pie factory had been; and will be constructed using materials taken from a set of dismantled older buildings.
Speaking on the council’s decision Ian Stone, CEO of apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods, said: “We are delighted that planning permission for Kitchen West has been granted by Wiltshire Council. This is an important milestone for us and a bold step forward in our ambition to lead the market with one of the most sustainable food production facilities in the UK.
“This new facility represents an investment in the long‑term future of apetito | Wiltshire Farm Foods in Trowbridge. Kitchen West will play a vital role in supporting our continued growth and helping us to meet increasing demand. It will enable us to expand our production capabilities and continue delivering high-quality meals for the customers who rely on us every day.
“Most importantly, this is an investment in our people. We are proud to be a significant employer in the local area, and Kitchen West will help us safeguard and create highly skilled jobs for many years to come.”
The company is part of the Apetito Group, whose shareholders will be investing an excess of £100 million into the new food production facility.
This follows reaffirmation from the business on its long-term commitment to staying in the Wiltshire town of Trowbridge, where it is currently the largest private employer. Around 670 of Apetito’s 2,000-strong UK workforce are based locally.
“Through our products and services, we enhance the quality of life for our customers, especially those with specific dietary requirements. We are very proud that with our new ‘Kitchen West’ we will be able to fulfil this commitment even better in the future, making a real difference not only for our customers but also for our employees and the community,” added Christian Kessy, COO of the Apetito AG Group.
The construction of Kitchen West is currently expected to start this summer. The existing Mill Site kitchens on Canal Road will remain operational alongside the new facility.