Bakkavor site put on the market after factory closure

The Nottinghamshire-based factory is available to rent for £246,929 a year. It includes the food processing factory, warehouse, storage space and a three-storey office building, said estate agent Savills.

The former Bakkavor site totals 4,830m²​, and is available for £51/m²​. Built in 2001, the estate agent expected a lot of interest for the food processing factory.

‘A prime industrial location’​

Savills Nottingham commercial team director Ian Muxlow said: “Situated in a prime industrial location, the property offers excellent access to junction 28 of the M1, providing connectivity to Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield and the surrounding areas.​

“There remains a significant lack of supply across the East Midlands, and for this reason we expect to receive considerable interest from potential occupiers.”​

The Huthwaite factory had been the Welcome Foods ingredients plant, but was closed after it was no longer economically viable, Bakkavor said. It was impacted by difficult trading conditions, and while it searched for alternatives to job cuts, it concluded that Welcome Foods was no longer a money-making business.

About 300 jobs were put at risk by Bakkavor’s decision to close the site​. The ready meals firm said it would help staff find alternative work in the local area.

‘No longer economically viable’​

At the time, a Bakkavor spokesman said: “For some time now, Welcome Foods has been impacted by difficult trading conditions. The group has explored a number of different options to sustain the business but has now concluded Welcome Foods is no longer commercially viable.​

“Therefore, our proposal is to cease operations at Welcome Foods and transfer production to other Bakkavor sites which have similar product synergies.”​

The manufacturer thanked staff for their commitment and professionalism during the period.