More than 400 jobs are set to go on Tyneside at supermarket fruit and juice supplier Orchard House Foods amid rising costs and staffing struggles.
The firm, based on the Team Valley, is to shut its Gateshead factory with the loss of up to 430 jobs. The move comes as the company, which supplies supermarkets including Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Pret A Manger, plans to relocate production to its existing base in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Orchard House, which makes prepared and packaged fruit, fruit drinks, fruit jellies, fresh fruit yogurts, compotes and granolas, said it aims to consolidate production at Corby by the end of November this year. The company said it has started a consultation process with affected colleagues, with up to 430 jobs at risk of redundancy.
