First Milk to shut Wrexham cheese operations

UK dairy First Milk has informed employees at its Maelor cheese packing facility near Wrexham of the business’s proposal to close the facility by the end of May 2014. The proposal to close the site follows the loss of a significant customer contract and a consequent strategic review, which concluded that it is no longer economically viable for the business to keep the site operational, the company says.

A consultation period with employees and their representatives will commence shortly. If the closure is confirmed then the employment of up to 231 employees could potentially be affected. A spokesperson for the business says, “We very much regret the need to make the proposal to close our Maelor operation. We will of course seek to provide those potentially affected with every support and address ways in which the impact of the proposals can be reduced. In terms of our creameries in Wales, England and Scotland, it is business as usual. There is increasing demand for good quality British cheddar and we currently supply a number of customers with bulk cheese which is then packed at third party facilities.”