An Angus factory is to close after the third round of job cuts in five years.
Supermarket Morrisons told workers today it will close its potato grading and storage facility at Clayholes Farm, Carnoustie.
The site employed 90 staff just five years ago when it was a potato packing facility owned by Farmcare. Redundancies followed the loss of a major contract.
Morrisons’ acquisition in January 2017 was hailed as a move to safeguard the workforce.
But the supermarket giant then made more than 30 job losses two years ago when it changed the role of the factory.
It became a grading and storage facility as its potato packing operation moved to sites in Gadbrook and Rushden.
Now just a dozen staff remain at the Balmachie Road facility.
Closure decision taken with ‘heavy heart’
Morrisons said today’s announcement is with “deep regret”.
The supermarket said “continuing efficiency gains in its supply chain” means Clayholes Farm is only grading 6% of Morrisons potatoes.
Fraser Lovatt, category director of Morrisons, said the group was investigating whether there were other jobs for workers.
He said: “I recognise that this will be very difficult news for those concerned and we have taken this decision with a heavy heart.
“We will do everything we can to help the 12 Morrisons colleagues who are affected by this closure throughout the process including investigating whether there are any other suitable roles elsewhere in the Morrisons group.”
Morrisons said the Angus closure does not mean it will buy any fewer Scottish potatoes and it remains committed to Scottish growers.
Reaction to Angus factory jobs loss
Councillor Brian Boyd said the decision is a “huge blow”.
“I’m bitterly disappointed there will be more job losses just two years after the last round of redundancies,” he said.
“To go from 90 jobs to zero within five years is appalling.”
Carnoustie councillor Mark McDonald said the development was “incredibly disappointing news”.
He added: “I feel for the hard-working individuals impacted by this and hope Morrisons can offer realistic alternative employment for those who require it.”
Previous owners of the potato facility include Co-operatives Farm, Heather Prepack and Farmcare.