Partner Article

Fire-hit factory back to work

A food factory in North Tyneside which was destroyed by fire is to begin production again, creating 226 jobs in the process.

Around 420 jobs were lost at the former Findus factory when it was shut down following a severe blaze in January.

One North East has given a grant of almost £2m to the new operators to reinstall or repair machinery used to produce frozen foods.

It is expected that 226 new jobs will be created by 2010, a figure that could rise to over 300 once production at the plant reaches full capacity.

Ian Williams, Director of Business and Industry at One North East, said: “Through a great deal of hard work from the agency and our public sector partners we have been able to work with the Longbenton Foods team to secure a new, bright future for the former Findus plant.

“The agency is working alongside the company to provide all the support we can to ensure the re-commissioning process is a success and they are ready to begin production as soon as possible.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .