Leaders say plans to move all Boots manufacturing out of Nottingham for the first time in its history will be "devastating" for the regional economy as hundreds of jobs are put at risk. The company making Boots products at its Beeston headquarters has announced proposals to move manufacturing away from the historic site.
Products including the No 7 and Soltan ranges would instead be manufactured at factories in Wales and France if current plans go ahead. Nottinghamshire Live understands around 800 staff are based at the D10 building, where French firm Fareva manufactures Boots products, with a consultation process having now started for all of them.
Fareva first acquired the manufacturing arm of Boots, known as BCM, in 2017. The move was hailed at the time as a "new and exciting chapter", but concerns were expressed by unions about the future of jobs at the Boots headquarters.
Those unions have now expressed devastation after plans to "consolidate" Fareva's business operations were confirmed on Friday (June 30). Mark Wheatley, the area organiser for the Usdaw union, said: "Fareva have today briefed staff at their manufacturing facility in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, that they are proposing to close the site.
"This is obviously devastating news for the staff and the local community. We will now enter into consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate the business case for their decision.
"In the meantime, we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they require at this very difficult time, as we seek to secure the best deal possible." A statement from Fareva confirming its plans said: "The effects of Covid and the recent political unrest in Europe have been unprecedented.
"This economic change has had a big impact on Fareva's business in the UK. Production volumes have decreased due to some customers moving production in-house and remaining business volumes are lower than their pre-Covid levels."
The company said its UK bases now have "spare capacity" and so all production activities would transfer to sites including Fillcare, Fareva's factory in Wales. Product testing, research and development, commercial and procurement activities for Boots would all still take place in Nottingham.
Production in the D10 building would continue for at least another year, with Fareva adding that it does "not expect to make any colleagues redundant until early next year." The end of the year-long transition period would herald the end of all Boots manufacturing in Nottingham for the first time since John Boot founded the company in 1849.
Councillor Milan Radulovic, the Labour Leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: "It's absolutely devastating for the local economy. For Beeston town centre, the news couldn't be worse, because the knock-on effects will be huge.
"It's a site of national and international importance and the D10 building is part of the industrial heritage of the entire region, but the loss of jobs will be frightening. I'm really saddened and disappointed for the staff who will be losing their jobs.
"I know what it's like to lose a job, it's soul-destroying. I'll be looking to make sure the affected employees are given every opportunity to seek alternative employment and that they get the best offers they can if they are being made redundant."
Darren Henry, the Conservative MP for Broxtowe, said he was "incredibly concerned" by the news and had contacted Boots as a "matter of urgency" on Friday. Mr Henry said: "The manufacturer, Fareva, who operate a factory on the Boots Beeston campus, have today announced to their employees the proposed closure of their site.
"I am making contact with Fareva to ensure that measures are put in place to look after my constituents currently employed at the site." Manufacturing for Boots was previously carried out by BCM, a company under the ownership of Boots' parent company, at the D10 building.
The D10 building itself was designed by renowned architect Owen Williams, whose other work included the original Wembley Stadium. The building was completed in 1932 and marking the official opening ceremony a year later, the Nottingham Evening Post described the site as "Boots' Wonder Factory."
The news comes just days after Boots said it was planning to close 300 of its stores across the country, although no jobs are due to be impacted by that decision. An email from senior leadership at Boots was sent to staff on Friday regarding Fareva's plans, which said: "We have been assured by Fareva that this isn't a decision they have taken lightly, and they are hugely proud of their Nottingham workforce and the history and heritage of manufacturing in Nottingham."
The statement from Fareva added: "The business is fully committed to supporting all colleagues through the process by providing employment support services, counselling and links to other local manufacturers with available roles. As Fillcare takes on the production from the Nottingham site, it will create around 150 new roles at the site. Colleagues will be given first priority should they want to take up one of these roles."
