UK retailer Morrisons today (18 May) confirmed it is planning to close its Rathbones bakery in Wigan next year.

The facility is running at capacity with 160 employees. However, a spokesperson for the company said Morrisons could not expand the site because it was “landlocked”.

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The spokesperson said: “In the long-term, this is not suitable for the business’ needs.”

The company, which is to embark on a consultation process with staff, said it will be looking to relocate as many workers at the facility as possible.

Morrisons is expanding another factory further east in Wakefield and the spokesperson said the retailer would look to place affected staff at the enlarged site, elsewhere across the Morrisons business or within the local area.

Martyn Fletcher, group manufacturing director for Morrisons, said: “We have seen significant growth as a company in recent years and have big plans for the future. We need to be sure that we have the manufacturing facilities to equip us for this and after a detailed review of our operations we believe it is right to invest and grow our Wakefield facility.

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“Given our strong manufacturing presence in the north-west of England, we are confident that many of our colleagues in Wigan will find alternative roles with us in the area.”

Meanwhile, the expansion at the Wakefield site is expected to create up to 30 jobs. The facility, which produces bakery products such as bread and rolls, will increase by 41,250 sq ft and have new equipment installed to expand capacity.