Every possible way an historic Wirral chocolate factory can be saved will be explored, according to union bosses.
Last month, Barry Callebaut, a Swiss firm which runs a chocolate factory on part of the plot once home to Moreton’s Cadbury’s factory, said it had started a consultation process on the potential closure of its site on Pasture Road. The revelation was described as “shocking” at the time and comes just a few years after Barry Callebaut acquired the Burton’s Biscuit Company site in Moreton in 2018, 32 years after Burton’s bought it from Cadbury's.
But the firm may now close the site, putting the jobs of 45 permanent employees and 19 agency employees at risk. Unite, which represents workers at the Moreton factory, said it will look at “all alternatives” to the closure plan.
READ MORE: ‘Once famous’ Wirral chocolate factory could close in ‘big loss’ to town
Unite regional officer Franny Joyce said: “Obviously we are very disappointed that our members, some of whom have spent almost their entire working life at this site, are having to face the prospect of losing their jobs once again.” It is understood Unite has begun consultations with the employer and expects to be presented with the company’s business case to close the factory.
Mr Joyce added: “Once the case has been scrutinised, and a full detailed analysis of the rationale behind this proposal has taken place we will be looking for further meetings with the company to explore all alternatives to the current proposal. This is an extremely difficult time for our Barry Callebaut members and they will be receiving the union’s full support throughout this process.”
Barry Callebaut feels that due to equipment and operational restrictions, the site cannot meet the operational costs needed to ensure the correct economies of scale. But as part of the consultation process, the firm said it will consider all alternatives to a site closure and compulsory redundancies and where possible, avoid compulsory redundancies through redeployment or other identified measures. The firm said the plan is about ensuring it can operate profitably and compete in the marketplace of the future.
Reacting to the announcement last month, 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.”
The Independent councillor 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.”
Cllr Max Booth, who represents Moreton West and Saughall Massie for the Conservatives, said a closure of the factory would be a big loss to the community. He added while it was great to see new vibrant businesses opening in Moreton he did not want to see the old established ones leave.
A spokesperson for Barry Callebaut said: “As part of Barry Callebaut’s strategy to continuously improve its operational efficiency and to better balance production capacity and demand in the UK, the Group has started a consultation process on the potential closure of its chocolate factory in Moreton. This is not a course of action that has been taken lightly. Barry Callebaut has strong foundations for growth and the UK will remain a key market for future investment.
“We understand that this will be a concerning time for all those that will be affected by this announcement and their families, and we will be supporting them through this difficult period.”
