Biscuit factory decision delayed

Fox's Biscuit staff march on Valentine's Day

Uttoxeter staff have held marches in an effort to save their jobs

Workers at two biscuit factories face a year of uncertainty after a decision on which site will close was postponed.

Northern Foods, the maker of Fox's Biscuits, wants to merge its factories in Batley, West Yorkshire, and Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

A new £40m "super site" is expected to be built in one of the towns in 2011.

Northern Foods was expected to choose which site would close this month, but now says it will make the decision next year after a "rigorous" evaluation.

In a statement on Thursday the Leeds-based firm said: "The current economic environment means that all aspects of this project are being carefully assessed to ensure that the optimal decision is made for all stakeholders in the business.

"We will continue exploring this project's potential to improve efficiency through the course of our next financial year, with an update expected in the final months of that period."

'Right decision'

Chief executive Stefan Barden said: "This prudent decision will enable us to rigorously evaluate all the available options before committing investment.

"We fully recognise the continued uncertainty this will unfortunately bring to our loyal employees and we remain committed to regular communication.

"It is important that we make the right decision for all concerned with the future of our business."

Northern Foods will either extend the current factory in Uttoxeter or build a new one near to the Batley site.

The Batley factory employs 1,280 people while the Uttoxeter site has 950 staff.