British Sugar could close Cantley factory on Norfolk Broads

A consultation will be held over the proposals, which would concentrate British Sugar’s beet processing operations at Wissington in west Norfolk, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Newark in Nottinghamshire.

Keith Packer, managing director at British Sugar, said: “This proposal has not been taken lightly.

“It follows a thorough review of the business and reflects a combination of external pressures, including low average European sugar prices, high energy costs and a market-wide, long-term gradual decline in volumes over time.”

British Sugar said all employees at Cantley could be affected and that discussions would begin with Unite, the workers’ recognised union, and other employee representatives.