The combined closure of both Britvic/Robinsons and Colman’s will result in nearly 1000 direct and indirect job losses, and nearly £10 million of wages sucked out of the local economy says GMB London Region.
GMB, the union for workers at the Norwich Colman’s factory, have responded to the confirmation that Unilever will be closing the factory that produces the mustard in 2019.
The factory which employs 113 people will be relocating to sites in Burton-on-Trent and Germany. 43 members of staff are expected to relocate to the Burton site, with the rest facing redundancy.
Ivan Mercer, GMB Regional Officer said: “The news is simply devastating for the workers, and wider Norwich community. The feedback is that the announcements are being heard in stunned silence. Many members feel that the decision was pre-determined and that no alternative proposals would have been adopted. The Colman’s site is hugely profitable, but the company have been prepared to sacrifice the Colman’s legacy purely for greater margins.
“No one believes the company’s claim that a small consortium of local farmers are maintaining the Colman’s legacy of production, that is just marketing spin. It is worth noting that the company have been represented in meetings with local authorities by communications directors and managers. But for the Norwich community the combined closure of both Britvic/Robinsons and Colman’s will result in nearly 1000 direct and indirect job losses, and nearly £10 million of wages sucked out of the local economy.
“It is a devastating blow to the legacy of UK manufacturing and the silence from the government to date has been deafening.”
