Young’s Seafood Ltd. on Tuesday announced that up to 555 jobs may be cut at the Cumbrian Seafoods sites in Seaham and Whitehaven and at the Border Laird site in Amble.
News that Young’s has initiated formal consultations with staff at three processing facilities comes just less than a month after the company’s parent, Lion Capital, acquired Cumbrian Seafood Ltd. and Border Laird Ltd. immediately after they went into administration.
“It is clear from the fact that the business went into administration that the current business model is not viable. We continue to be focused on fulfilling customer contracts and talking, in detail, with the employees about options for the future,” said Young’s COO Pete Ward.
If the Young’s proposal is implemented, it may result in the loss of up to 363 jobs in Seaham, 112 jobs in Whitehaven and 80 jobs in Amble.
The Seaham site produces a wide range of seafood, including whitefish and prawns, and the Whitehaven site it a primary processor and smoker of seafood. The Amble site is a primary processor of langoustines and fish cakes.
“We want to ensure that we deliver quality products for our customers in the most effective and efficient way. This is the beginning of a journey and we will draw on the knowledge and experience of the employees at the sites,” said Ward. “This move does not reflect on the committed and skilled teams in Seaham, Whitehaven and Amble, who are continuing to work hard through this time, which is a huge credit to the whole workforce.”
Young’s employs around 3,200 people across 13 UK sites.
