Almost 300 jobs at risk as Young's Seafood announces proposed closure of Grimsby site

Young’s said the proposed site closure would potentially result in the loss of 285 roles from the site between September and October.

A statement issued by the firm said: “Following changes in future demands for products produced at our Marsden Road site, the company has explored a number of options to try and maintain production at the site from October 2023.

“It is with regret that we have been unable to find any viable solutions and therefore today are announcing the proposal to move the remaining whitefish processing undertaken at the Marsden Road site to the Humberstone Road site in Grimsby and the smoked processing to the Fraserburgh site in Scotland.

“During the coming months, we will work closely with our employees, and any other appropriate organisation, to ensure that there is meaningful consultation before any decisions are made and that colleagues at Marsden Road have all the information and support they may need.”

The firm added that producing the remaining whitefish contracts at Marsden Road would no longer be “financially sustainable”.

Young’s is Grimsby’s largest private employer, with around 1,700 staff based in the town. The firm moved to the town around 50 years ago.

A number of new roles will be created at the firm’s Humberstone Road and Fraserburgh sites to support the transfer.

The company said it will do all it can to offer alternative opportunities across the group wherever possible.

The firm’s statement added: “Today’s proposals to cease production at the Marsden Road site does not reflect on the committed and skilled teams who work there – they are a credit to the Company. If the proposals go ahead, we will work hard to maintain the employment of all colleagues throughout this transition.

“Sofina Foods Europe has a long history of seafood production in Grimsby and whatever the outcome of the consultation we will continue to be a part of the community, given our other manufacturing sites within the town.”

In 2021, Young’s came under new ownership, as its parent company Eight Fifty Food Group was purchased by Sofina Foods for an undisclosed sum.

Sofina is a privately owned Canadian company headquartered in Ontario, Canada. The firm is one of Canada’s largest food producers.