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Colman's Mustard to leave Norwich after 200 years

The owner of Colman's Mustard, Unilever, is to close its factory in Norwich ending a 204 year historic connection with the city.

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Norwich MP says Colman's decision is 'devastating body blow' for city

The local MP for the historic Colman's mustard site in Norwich has described the decision by Unilever to shut the factory as a "body blow for the workers and the city of Norwich."

Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South said: "Colman's is an iconic brand for this city and this news is going to be devastating. It's a terrible way to start 2018 coming on the back of Britvic's announcement that they will leaving the same site."

Colman's Mustard was started near Norwich in 1814 and moved production to its current site in the city in 1858.

The Conservative MP for Norwich North, Chloe Smith, said the decision was "bitterly disappointing" and a "real blow" to workers.

She said it was a distressing day for Norwich.

"Senior figures in Government have stood with us throughout the last few months to try to keep these historic brands in Norwich.

"The grassroots campaign has been a credit to the city and that has its reward in that the Colman's brand will remain in Norwich and the supply chain may remain in place.

"I am fundamentally disappointed that neither of these companies have chosen to keep the bulk of their operations in Norwich. "My first thoughts are with those constituents who may lose their jobs; my focus for the longer term will be that major employers should continue to see Norwich as a great place to be."

– Chloe Smith MP, Norwich North (Con)
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