Advertisement

Under threat Newport bakery saved from closure

Avana Bakeries in Newport, which was facing closure, has been bought by Food Utopia Ltd. Up to 650 jobs were at threat at the site after it lost a big contract earlier this year.

View all 10 updates ›

Avana Bakeries: 650 jobs at risk and site could close

A spokesperson for Avana Bakeries in Newport has confirmed the majority of its 650-strong workforce is at risk of redundancy following the loss of its M&S contract to a competitor.

The spokesperson added there is also a risk the site could be closed.

Clearly this is a huge setback to our cakes business and our operations in Wales, but we are determined to work hard to reverse the situation.

As a matter of urgency, we are now making every effort to rebuild the business by seeking alternative customers and strategies which will minimise the impact of this contract loss.

Our immediate priority now is to have meaningful discussions with our colleagues during a minimum 45-day consultation period to explore all available options before taking the next steps. We are hopeful that we can retain our cakes business in Newport.

– Avana Bakeries statement

Oldham-based Park Cake Bakeries says it is pleased its partnership with M&S will continue.

A spokesperson for the business said: “Park Cake Bakeries has had a long and fruitful relationship as a supplier of quality cakes and desserts to Marks and Spencer and we are pleased that partnership will continue with the award of M&S’s cakes and desserts business, primarily to our site in Oldham.”

  1. Read more
  2. 10 updates
Under threat Newport bakery saved from closure

More top news