Jobs threat after Coke shuts bottling plants

COCA-Cola will close bottling plants in Milton Keynes and Northampton, putting 300 jobs at risk.

The firm, which has a stock market listing in London, said in January the two plants were under threat. Last night it confirmed the plans.

Coca-Cola employs about 160 people at its Milton Keynes centre and spent £5m refurbishing it in 2015.

But every role is now likely to go as the company tries to improve productivity in the UK. The closures will take place in 2019.

A Coca- Cola European Partners spokesman said: ‘We will be transferring all production and warehousing from Milton Keynes and Northampton to other GB sites, and will continue to invest in our business to support long-term growth.

‘There will be redeployment opportunities, with the creation of 121 new roles across our manufacturing and distribution network.

‘While this was a difficult decision to make, we believe it is the right way forward.

‘It will allow us to continue to grow in this increasingly dynamic market.’