Stories

Tue, 21 Jul 2026

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 UK's first sugar factory at risk of closure

Over 100 jobs are at risk after British Sugar announced plans to shut one of its four factories.

* Over 100 jobs at risk as company aims to "improve efficiency and support long-term future" of UK sugar industry
* Consultation will be held over proposals, which would concentrate beet processing operations at Wissington, Bury St Edmunds and Newark
* Cantley factory has been in operation for over 100 years and processes an average of 130,000 tonnes of sugar per year
* British Sugar cites low European sugar prices, high energy costs and decline in volumes as reasons for closure
* Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew describes news as "devastating" and warns of wider cost implications for Norfolk farmers
* Union representatives will be consulted with over the proposals