Turkey processor Bernard Matthews has confirmed the closure of its Derby facility, which will cease operations by the end of 2026.
The company, which was purchased in 2016 by Ranjit Singh Boparan, confirmed the closure of its Derby processing site on Shaftesbury Street following the conclusion of collective consultation with employee and union representatives.
Bernard Matthews said it had experienced “continued significant financial losses”, as well as facing a range of external economic challenges and the geopolitical environment.
This included Brexit, Covid and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which Bernard Matthews said had all contributed to “significantly impacting” the site and its supply chain.
According to Bernard Matthews, impacted employees will be given potential redeployment opportunities across the wider business. It also said that it would engage with local organisations to explore alternative employment options.
“Farmers and food producers face rising costs and increasing complexity, which are restricting growth, driving food inflation and undermining the UK’s food security.”
Bernard Matthews spokesperson
A spokesperson for Bernard Matthews commented: “We are a proud British food business committed to providing quality, affordable food, that’s better for people and the planet. For the past two years, we have urged the Government to take urgent action to support the UK’s fragile food supply chain. Farmers and food producers face rising costs and increasing complexity, which are restricting growth, driving food inflation and undermining the UK’s food security.
“Without targeted Government action on supply chain resilience, planning and taxation, we fear more farms and food manufacturing sites will close, increasing the UK’s reliance on lower-quality imports and weakening food and national security.”
