Fox’s Biscuits factory to remain open

Worries that the Fox’s Biscuits factory in Batley, UK, was to close have been laid to rest by the company’s owner.

Northern Foods says that a £26.5m investment over the last 18 months means that all three of its factories across the country, including the one at Batley, will remain open, reported the Yorkshire Evening Post.

There had been plans to build a £40m super factory and close one plant.

That was ditched in favour of investment in new equipment.

Now the investment plan – known as Project Golden – has led to cost reductions and productivity improvements.

But there have been job losses – approximately 200 in Batley and around 100 at the Uttoxeter factory – although 80 jobs have been created at Kirkham near Preston.

Northern Foods itself was the subject of a takeover battle earlier this year which was eventually won by Ranjit Boparan’s 2 Sisters Food Group which bought the business for £342m.