Community Leaders Dismayed by Possible Closure of Wensleydale Creamery Plant
Local leaders express concern over the potential closure of the Wensleydale Creamery plant, impacting jobs and the community.
Kirkby Malzeard, North Yorkshire, Wensleydale Creamery, Cheese Production, Job Loss
Kirkby Malzeard: The potential closure of the Wensleydale Creamery plant has left many community leaders feeling pretty upset. This place has been making cheese for over a century, and losing it would be a big deal for the village.
The company, SDUK, is looking to move most of its cheese packing operations to Nuneaton. They say they’ve invested a lot there, but it means closing the Kirkby Malzeard facility. They haven’t made any final decisions yet, but consultations with employees are set to start soon.
Despite the packing plant’s potential closure, the main cheese production at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes will continue. The company reassured everyone that their visitor center will also stay open, and they’re committed to supporting the farms that supply them.
Local councillor Felicity Cunliffe-Lister called the news a “terrible blow” for residents. She’s worried about the reasons behind the decision and if there’s any way to save the jobs. Plus, she’s curious about what might happen to the site if it closes.
Julian Smith, the MP for Skipton and Ripon, shared his concerns too. He pointed out that closing the plant would hurt not just the workers but the whole local economy. The dairy industry has been a part of Kirkby Malzeard’s history for nearly a century, and losing it would be a real shame.
Councillor Pippa Manson echoed these worries, saying it feels like the decision is already made. She knows the community will be anxious about their jobs and the impact on local businesses like the village shop and pub. They plan to discuss this at the next parish council meeting.
Wensleydale Dairy Products was bought by Canadian food group Saputo in 2021 for £23 million. This deal included the two sites in Hawes and Kirkby Malzeard, which together employ around 210 people. Cheese making has been a part of Kirkby Malzeard since the early 1900s, so this news hits hard.
In 2012, they announced that cheesemaking would stop at the Kirkby Malzeard plant, shifting to blending and packing instead. Now, it seems like the future of this historic site is once again in jeopardy.