The manufacturer of Nestlé Cereals, Cereal Partners UK (CPUK), has announced plans to close its Bromborough factory, putting approximately 300 jobs at risk.
Production at the site in Merseyside, which produces the Cheerios brand and own-label rice crispies and cornflakes for leading supermarkets, is set to move to another facility in Staverton, Wiltshire, as part of a £74 million investment plan.
CPUK also revealed that it will cease production of supermarket own-brand cereals at the end of its current contracts.
A spokesperson for the company noted that both its factories are currently below capacity, adding, “These proposals would adjust CPUK&I’s manufacturing footprint to better match demand and simplify our portfolio to focus investment on our branded cereals.
“Sales of breakfast cereal are in significant decline owing to the changing habits of UK and Irish consumers and greater competition from alternative breakfast options.”
Matt Denton, regional organiser from the GMB union, expressed concern over the announcement. “For three decades, CPUK has been at the heart of this community, providing good jobs and supporting countless businesses,” he said.
“Three hundred skilled workers facing an uncertain future is simply unacceptable. GMB will fight to protect jobs, secure fair treatment for workers and explore all potential options to mitigate the impact of this closure.
“We demand urgent talks with management and call on the company to engage with us to make sure workers’ voices are heard, and livelihoods are prioritised.”
A statement from the company said: “CPUK&I regrets the potential impact on employees, and the immediate priority is to work together to review the proposals while supporting people through this process with care and sensitivity.
"CPUK&I remains open to alternative solutions, including a potential sale of the Bromborough site and/or the supermarket branded cereal manufacturing itself.”
