Saputo Dairy UK has announced plans to close Wensleydale Creamery’s plant in a North Yorkshire village.
The multinational food producer announced on Wednesday, January 15 plans to shut down its Kirkby Malzeard plant, which handles blending and packing for Wensleydale Creamery. The move, set to take place in July following a consultation with staff, puts around 80 jobs at risk and would end more than a century of cheese production in the village.
The closure has sparked concerns about the future of the Wensleydale Creamery factory in Hawes, which is one of the largest employers in the Yorkshire Dales. The site has nearly 130 years of commercial cheesemaking history, and Wensleydale cheese itself has roots dating back to the 12th century when French Cistercian monks brought cheesemaking skills to the dale.
Jill McMullon, chairman of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council, said: “I am very concerned about the workforce.
Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes, North Yorkshire, includes a production site and visitor area.
(Image: Welcome to Yorkshire)
“Wensleydale Creamery is the main employer in Hawes.
“Any major changes will have a major impact, not only on the factory itself but also on the area as a whole.
“The visitor centre brings a lot of people to the town. We are reliant on tourism and any changes could be catastrophic to the whole area.”
The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes
(Image: Google)
Steven Douglas, president and chief operating officer of Saputo Dairy UK, visited Hawes to discuss the situation with dairy staff earlier this week. In a letter to the parish council, the company’s chief executive acknowledged the concerns about the Hawes facility.
He conceded that there were a “small number of individuals” who divided their time between Hawes and Kirkby Malzeard, and would be affected by the proposed closure of the site near Ripon. He said: “We have spoken to them and will support them throughout the consultation process.
“Beyond that, let me reassure you once again of our commitment to the Wensleydale Creamery, the visitor centre and the employees.
“I was in Hawes yesterday offering that same reassurance directly to our colleagues based there and they know they have our full support.”
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