Creative Foods to close Flintshire ready meals facility

Ready meals manufacturer Creative Foods, owned by Brakes, has announced plans to close its factory in Flintshire, north Wales, by May, putting 149 jobs at risk.

The decision follows an extensive review of its food manufacturing operations that concluded that the Flintshire business may no longer be viable.

A long-term decline in the wholesale frozen ready meals product category was also a key factor in the decision, the company noted.

In a statement, the company said, "There is a proposal to close the Creative Foods factory and we have started a full and thorough consultation process, which we anticipate will reach a conclusion in May 2014.

"We will continue to make every effort to support our colleagues affected by the proposal, during this unsettling time."

Delyn MP David Hanson said, "I am extremely disappointed with this decision; the loss of nearly 150 jobs will be a massive blow to our community and I know many people will now be worried and uncertain about what will now happen with their jobs and their future."

Creative Foods runs two manufacturing sites, at Aber Industrial Estate in Flint and Torquay in Devon.

The facility in Aber Industrial Estate produces frozen ready meals, sauces, soups and pasta dishes, while the Devon site makes desserts.

Brakes Group is one of the leading suppliers to the foodservice segment in the UK, Ireland, France and Sweden.