Hundreds of jobs to go after Forbes says owner of Glasgow Mcvitie’s factory refused to accept alternative to closure
The Scottish Government has admitted defeat over attempts to keep the Mcvitie’s factory in Glasgow open, after owner Pladis refused to accept an alternative to closure.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, chair of the Pladis action group, which met for the ninth time on Thursday, said the body accepted that attempts to persuade Pladis to accept an alternative “have not been successful”.
In May, the factory, in Glasgow’s Tollcross, was earmarked for closure next year. Pladis has said it is moving production to other sites in the UK.
The action group, which included representatives from Scottish Government jobs quango Scottish Enterprise, training quango Skills Development Scotland and unions as well as the Scottish Government, was formed to put forward counter-proposals in a bid to keep it open.
Unions claimed there had been “no serious considerations” of the alternative plans by Pladis, which also owns Ulker, Godiva and regional
brands such as Jacob’s, Go Ahead and Carr’s.
Around 500 staff work at the Mcvitie’s factory.
Ms Forbes said: “I very sadly accept that our attempts to persuade Pladis that there was a viable alternative to closure have not been successful.
"Pladis has always indicated a responsibility and willingness to discuss the potential legacy options for the site and we look forward to engaging constructively with them on what we can achieve to fulfil this ambition.”
Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow City Council is committed to working with our partners to develop a legacy that provides infrastructure that attracts a new age of manufacturing to the East End of the city and provides jobs for the future.”
Unions called for a “lasting legacy” at the site. Pat Mcilvogue, of Unite, said: “Unite believes there are opportunities for Mcvitie’s to leave a lasting legacy by providing resources that could involve the repurposing of the site, enabling the workers and the wider Tollcross community to have a future they can depend on. Unite is calling for Mcvitie’s to do the right thing before they switch off the lights.”
Pladis was approached for comment.