A Melton creamery is to close down after a review into its operations was concluded. Arla Foods announced today (Friday, June 28) its “proposal” to “cease production” at the creamery in Thorpe End.
Arla, a Danish-Swedish multinational cooperative, said its “priority” was to support the 60 people who work at the site “during this challenging period”. The cooperative said the announcement was made to staff at the factory this morning.
Previously the company said the review of the creamery’s operations had been prompted by a “decline” in “the speciality cheese market in the UK”. Known locally as Tuxford and Tebbutt, it is the only remaining cheese-maker in the town, and produces Tuxford and Tebbutt Blue Stilton, Shropshire Blue, Leicester Gold and other classic cheeses.
READ MORE: Famous Melton creamery Tuxford and Tebbutt under threat as review into its operations announced
Fran Ball, vice president of production at Arla said: “Today Arla Foods has announced its proposal to cease production at Arla Melton Mowbray Creamery UK. This morning, we have spoken to our colleagues who are affected by these proposals and we are now entering into a period of consultation with those colleagues.
“Our priority right now is to support our colleagues impacted during this challenging period.” After announcing the review back in January, Arla said it would be exploring the market for any buyers of its Melton Mowbray creamery.
In January, Fran Ball said: “Over the last few years, the speciality cheese market in the UK, which includes Stilton, has continued to decline, and as a farmer owned cooperative, we are therefore looking at what this means for our business so we can continue to return a fair price back to our 2,000 UK farmer owners.
“Here at Arla Foods, we are proud of the heritage that we have from our creameries across the UK. We are privileged to employ some of the finest cheese makers in the country, which includes those at our Arla Melton Mowbray Creamery UK.”
Tuxford and Tebbutt had been making cheese since 1780.
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