Tulip begins consultation over closure of Bodmin site

Tulip has began a consultation on closing its 'unsustainable' Bodmin site, putting 270 jobs at risk.

The company, the sale of which to US meat giant Pilgrim's Pride was confirmed a few days ago, said the site had been 'operating at a significant loss for several years' and was 'unsustainable to maintain operations under the existing business model'.

It is starting a 45-day consultation over proposals to cease production at Bodmin, which is expected to end on December 9.

A Tulip spokesman said: "Tulip Ltd is seeking to galvanise employees, customers and suppliers to come together to agree a viable plan for the sustainable future of the site.

"However, unless we can secure a joint recovery plan with our strategic partners and employees, we cannot continue to operate while making such significant losses."

But Tulip, which has suffered heavy losses in recent years, said the closure of the plant was not a 'foregone conclusion'.

The Unite union said the potential closure was 'another shock wave to the already battered Cornish economy’.

Unite regional officer Deborah Hopkins said: "This is another blow for Bodmin. Tulip used to be one of the primary employers in Bodmin and the local community will suffer greatly from these losses just before Christmas."

"The relentless loss of jobs from Tulip in recent years reflects other job losses from food and drink processing across Cornwall, primarily in the middle and east of the county, at a time when wages are stagnating."