Vegan food firm to start production
A vegan food firm is set to launch production in a former crisp factory in the next three months.
Washington-born Heather Mills has revealed that the former Walkers crisps factory she took over to manufacture her range of plant-based foods in Peterlee will be open for business within the next three months.
Ms Mills took over the 180,000 sq ft Peterlee factory in November and is busy hiring staff and overseeing the fit-out ready for manufacturing of VBites’ new range of vegan sausages and burgers made from plant-based proteins.
More than 350 jobs were lost when PepsiCo closed the Walkers snacks factory in 2017 and Ms Mills has so far hired six former workers from Walkers, including the former factory manager who is now the new factory manager for VBites at Petergale,teammanagerinwardinvestment lee. She is hoping eventually to hire about 300 workers for the new Peterlee operation.
“It’s been quite a journey to get here and it’s a very exciting time for us now,” she said.
“I’ve been delighted to see some of the former workers at Walkers take up new positions with us already. We have some good people in place at Peterlee and we’re looking for more.
“There will be office and factory positions for apprentices and also for older people who are experienced. I value their experience.”
Coun Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “This is really exciting news and it’s particularly encouraging to see that there will now be more than 300 job opportunities created at the old Walkers site in the near future.”
Ms Mills said she had received a great deal of help buying and settling into the factory from Peter Rippin- and opportunities atBusinessDurham,theeconomic development organisation for County Durham.
She said: “Peter has been a valuable asset to us by connecting us to the right people and making sure the acquisition of the Peterlee factory went smoothly.
“We’ve been introduced to many local businesses that may want to partner with us and other exciting relationships that will bring more employment opportunities.”
Mr Rippingale said: “It’s been a pleasure to help Ms Mills with her ambitious plans to grow her business further. It’s great that she’s chosen her native North East as a place to do business and bring valuable jobs to the local economy.”