Newcastle City Council has launched a new taskforce with Nestlé UK to plan for the future of a confectionery factory which is set to close towards the end of 2023.
The taskforce aims to deliver a plan to support the workforce of Nestlé Fawdon to find suitable alternative employment if necessary.
It is also looking to explore options for the factory site that will benefit the local community.
As well as the council and Nestlé, the taskforce’s other participants include Catherine McKinnell MP, local councillors, local and regional representatives from GMB and UNITE Trade Unions, and regional representatives from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Representatives from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and the North of Tyne Combined Authority were also present.
On behalf of the taskforce Newcastle City Council chief executive, Pam Smith, said: ‘Whilst we remain deeply disappointed by the decision to close the factory, we are working constructively with both Nestlé and local and regional representatives to ensure that all employees are supported to find alternative employment and the site is reused to maximise the benefit for the immediate area and the wider city.’
