STORY: 300 jobs in the balance at Fox’s Biscuits

Restructuring at Fox’s Biscuits means 300 people may face redundancy. It says its’ Uttoxeter site in Staffordshire is in need of “urgent attention”, which will include the reconfiguration of the biscuit production lines.

Fox’s adds the site is operating at a loss, and by making what it calls “a number of tough decisions”, it will be able to “maximise new growth and commercial opportunities.”

Yesterday's announcement said the company had told colleagues it is reviewing manufacturing capabilities, to give it “the best possible chance of sustained success.”

Of Fox’s 780-strong workforce, around 250 staff now face consultations and the threat of redundancy. And beyond this, roughly 50 jobs at the company’s Uttoxeter and Wakefield distribution centres are under threat as the business is now considering outsourcing its warehousing.

The view from the union

Unite, the worker’s union, described the news as “a massive blow to the workforce, their families and the regional economy.”

“It will cause real economic pain,” according to Unite regional officer Rick Coyle, who said the union is now pushing for an urgent meeting with Fox’s owner 2 Sisters Food Group.

He added: “Unite will be giving maximum support to our hundreds of members at Uttoxeter in the days and weeks ahead, at what is a difficult time for the workforce.”

The union plans to have its first meeting with the shop stewards and management on Friday 22 March.