Hovis to axe 500 jobs in West Midlands
More than 500 jobs are being axed in the West Midlands after the owner of Hovis announced today it would close two bakeries.
About 900 jobs will be lost in all, but the biggest impact will be in Birmingham, where the Hovis factory and distribution operation in Kitts Green is being closed.
Hovis operations in Greenford, London, will also close, costing 196 jobs, while the company's owner, Premier Foods, is also preparing to shut distribution sites in Plymouth and Mendlesham, Suffolk, resulting in the loss of 95 jobs in total.
However, the moves will not affect the Premier Foods factory at Knighton, near Stafford, which makes food powders such as Angel Delight.
Today's announcements will see the two bread factories closing next year. They are in addition to the decision to close the Hovis baker in Eastleight, Hampshire.
Premier Food's bread business is due to be hit by the loss of a budget loaf contract by the middle of next year.
Premier's chief executive Michael Clarke said today: "Decisions will not be taken lightly but they are necessary."