A historic Merseyside chocolate factory will close its doors today in what was described as a "very sad day" for the region.
Barry Callebaut, the Swiss firm which runs the factory on Pasture Road in Moreton, has confirmed the site will cease operations owing to a significant decrease in volume at Moreton, along with a growing number of operational restrictions. The closure will result in the loss of 62 jobs, with the plant having employed 45 permanent employees and 19 agency workers.
Two members of staff have been moved to the company's Chester site.
READ MORE: Woman soaked in petrol from Lucozade bottle caught fire
A spokesperson for Barry Callebaut said: “Following a consultation process at Barry Callebaut’s chocolate factory in Moreton, we have made the difficult decision to close the factory on 31 st May.
"This is not a course of action that has been taken lightly and comes after exploring all alternatives to better balance production capacity and demand in the UK. We would like to thank all our employees for their dedication and hard work over the years.”
A consultation process on the potential closure of the factory began in March, with Unite, who represent workers at the site, vowing to look at "all alternatives" to protect the jobs of 45 permanent employees and 19 agency employees. However, Unite regional officer, Franny Joyce, told the ECHO that there were no "viable" alternatives to the proposed closure.
He said: "It's obviously a very sad day for our members who work there. For a lot of employees, they've given more than 30 years of service to the factory, so the majority of their working lives. It's going to be a big change for them.
"Unfortunately, with the economic argument that Barry Callebaut provided, we weren't able to offer a viable alternative."
The factory has been an integral part of the community since 1954, when the site was formally opened by Mrs Joyce Cadbury. The plant was subsequently owned by Burton's Biscuit Company, before it was acquired by Barry Callebaut in 2018.
Reacting to the mooted closure earlier this year, Independent councillor Karl Greaney, who represents Leasowe and Moreton East, said: “It is very shocking to hear of the [potential] closure of this important local employer and the subsequent impact it will make on the local people directly employed but also on local businesses, who will be affected by any closure.”
He added: “Local people have been through many decades employed at this historical site and it is very sad to see how this once famous local site and employer has now virtually disappeared. Where I can, I will offer to provide any assistance to local residents affected by this."
The Swiss firm has said that this decision ensures that Barry Callebaut can operate profitably and compete in the marketplace of the future.
