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Statement on Kraft
Somerdale closure announcement (9 February 2010)
Local MP for North
East Somerset, Dan Norris, said: "Kraft executives called me this
afternoon to let me know the hugely disappointing news that they are pressing
ahead with Cadbury's plans to close Somerdale.
"I was told Kraft bosses had met Cadbury managers very soon after
their takeover was confirmed and saw how advanced the closure plans had
become, with much production already transferred elsewhere. In light of
this, Kraft have decided to continue with Cadbury's original plan to close
the factory. Final closure will take place in the first three months of
2011. Kraft will honour Cadbury's commitments to current staff and will
stand by the undertaking to keep the Fry Club social and sporting facilities
and its conference centre open.
"There will be Keynsham people who now feel they were manipulated
by Kraft, whose hints of a Somerdale reprieve have proved horribly hollow.
"The overwhelming response by over a thousand local people to my
survey assessing local opinions about the takeover, showed Keynsham people
were not optimistic about the factory's future. Nonetheless the whole
town has received a body blow from this announcement."
"Indeed it feels like a double hit, coming after Cadbury's original
closure announcement just over two years ago, then the flicker of hope
from Kraft's hints of reprieve.
"Keynsham has been producing chocolate for over 70 years, with generations
of Keynsham people having earned their living from the proud tradition.
"It is a minuscule consolation to know today's news ends uncertainty
faced by employees about commitments Cadbury's had made to them.
"I am bitterly
disappointed by this news, but pleased that true to form, Keynsham people
did everything they could to prevent this closure and I am grateful for
their rapid and strong response to my survey.
"I will now be pressing for an urgent meeting with Kraft bosses to
ensure the future development of the Somerdale site is carried out in
a way which most benefits Keynsham residents and businesses."
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