Chocolate firm announces factory closure

The firm said it planned to concentrate its UK liquid and solid industrial chocolate production at its Banbury factory.

Barry Callebaut said in a statement: “The company will increase the production capacities at this​ [Banbury] site, also broadening the product range for the company’s customers. The consolidation of activities in Banbury is following a trend towards more customer deliveries in solid form.​

Relocate manufacturing activities​

“In this context, Barry Callebaut will relocate its current manufacturing activities in Chester to the Banbury factory. Since 1992, the company has been operating a line for the production of liquid milk chocolate in Chester with an annual capacity of 25,000t.”​

It added that a consultation process had been started with staff in Chester to “guarantee a socially responsible procedure".​

The closing of the Chester plant is planned for the end of March 2013.

Members of the Unite union at the Banbury plant had threatened strike action in September in a pay dispute. However, industrial action was called off after the company increased its pay offer from 1.5% to 2.65%.