LAUNCESTON was dealt a serious blow last week, after it was announced Kensey Foods, part of the Samworth Brother Ltd group, is to begin formal consultation with a view to potentially close the factory.

The factory, based at Pennygillam Industrial Estate, currently employs around 650 members of staff.

The factory produces a range of chilled desserts for some of the country’s leading retailers.

The company, which was established in 1997, said it had been ‘loss making for the past six years’ despite financial investment.

A spokesperson for Samworth Brothers said: “It is with regret that we are beginning a formal consultation with our staff regarding the potential closure of Kensey Foods in Launceston.   

“Despite significant financial investment and the commitment and hard work of everyone, Kensey Foods has now been loss making for the last six years.

“When combined, the investments and annual losses have added up to tens of millions of pounds, and this is not sustainable for any business.

“In addition, the age and capability of the plant and assets have reached a stage at which significant additional capital investment is required, which is not commercially viable.  It is proposed this closure would take place by the end of July. 

“We understand this announcement will be difficult for our colleagues at Kensey. We will be doing everything we can to support them through this consultation process.”

The spokesperson said in the event of a closure it is hoped there will be opportunities for a good number of individuals to redeploy to its Callington bakery (The Cornwall Bakery) and there are also vacancies across its  group in other locations.

Samworth Brothers would also work with the local job centre, employment agencies and local companies to help people find suitable new roles.

See page 3 for local response to the news, and what a closure could mean for the town.

- Do you work at Kensey? How do you think the closure would affect the town? Contact the Editor at [email protected] with your thoughts.