Valeo Foods to close Pontefract confectionery site, putting over 130 jobs at risk
The Pontefract factory, which produces sweets under the Barratt brand, including Anglo Bubbly bubble gum, liquorice, sherbet, and gummies, will have its production transferred to other Valeo sites across the UK and Europe.
UK – Pan-European snacks and confectionery group Valeo Foods has announced plans to shut down its Pontefract manufacturing facility in the UK.
This move will put 134 jobs at risk, affecting 34% of the 196 employees currently based at the site.
The closure follows a strategic transformation review aimed at improving the company’s operational efficiency and strengthening its private-label confectionery business.
The Pontefract factory, which produces well-known sweets under the Barratt brand, including Anglo Bubbly bubble gum, liquorice, sherbet, and gummies, will have its production transferred to other Valeo sites across the UK and Europe.
The company operates 30 manufacturing facilities in countries including Ireland, the UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Czechia, Slovakia, and Canada.
Valeo Foods confirmed that production transfers and staff relocations will occur as part of a phased closure plan over the next 12 months.
However, the company did not specify which facilities would absorb the production lines from Pontefract.
In a statement, Kevin Moore, CEO of Valeo Foods UK, said the decision had not been taken lightly, acknowledging the significant impact on both employees and the wider Pontefract community.
“Every possible option to continue manufacturing at the site was carefully reviewed. However, the level of investment needed to make the site competitive and sustainable long-term was found to be unviable, particularly given its proximity to other Valeo facilities in the UK,” he said.
Moore added that the company is committed to supporting affected staff through the transition, emphasizing that collective consultation with employees and their representatives has concluded.
Discussions will now continue individually to address options such as relocation, redundancy, and outplacement support.
Valeo stated that the restructuring is part of a broader plan to streamline production, enhance efficiency, and sustain the growth of its market-leading brands such as Barratt, Poppets, and Fox’s Glacier.
The decision reflects the company’s efforts to remain competitive amid rising operational costs and changing market dynamics.
The closure underscores the ongoing consolidation trend in the European food manufacturing sector, as producers seek to optimize capacity and reduce overheads while maintaining quality and brand strength.
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