Fresh prepared food provider, Bakkavor, is proposing to close two of its 29 sites; Bakkavor Salads in Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire and Bakkavor Desserts in Leicester.

The company said the macro-economic backdrop and in particular consumer sentiment in the UK remains very challenging. As reported in its Half Year Results announcement in September, the significant level of inflation and consumer headwinds it is continuing to face are expected to persist into next year.

Bakkavor said, in its announcement, that as a business that invests in the development of its people, rewards long service and invests in the local communities in which it operates, it is with great sadness that this difficult but necessary business decision may impact a number of its colleagues. Across the two sites, it employs over 900 colleagues.

It will be commencing a 45-day consultation period with affected colleagues and their representatives at both sites. If the proposals go ahead, Bakkavor says it will do everything it can to support staff and try to minimise job losses. It said it is committed to offering its weekly paid workers comparable roles at a different Bakkavor site, and for those where this is not possible, it will be working on several initiatives to help colleagues secure alternative employment opportunities in their local area.

Mike Edwards, CEO, commented: “As with businesses all over the UK, we are having to take decisive action to adapt to the challenging macro-economic backdrop. The decision to close any site is never taken lightly, and we do not underestimate the impact of this announcement on our colleagues and the local communities within which we operate. We remain committed to both protecting our business and doing everything we can to support our people through this difficult time.”