Bernard Matthews to Close Derby Factory by 2026

Bernard Matthews Foods will close its Derby factory by the end of 2026 due to financial losses, impacting local employment opportunities.

Bernard Matthews Foods, a prominent British food company, has confirmed plans to close its factory located on Shaftesbury Street in Derby by the end of 2026. The decision comes amid significant financial losses that the company has experienced.

A spokesperson for Bernard Matthews indicated that this decision follows extensive discussions with employees and union representatives, which concluded earlier this week. The factory closure will impact numerous workers in the area, prompting the company to explore potential redeployment opportunities within the business while also coordinating with local organizations to assist in finding alternative employment.

This latest announcement from Bernard Matthews is a significant development, particularly as it follows two years after the company disclosed plans to shut down another plant at its headquarters in Great Witchingham, Norfolk. There, the founder of the company built his legacy.

In a statement issued, the company explained that various external economic challenges contributed to its present financial woes. “This decision follows continued significant financial losses, alongside a range of external economic challenges and the geopolitical environment, including Brexit, Covid, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have all contributed to significantly impacting the site and its supply chain,” the spokesperson elaborated.

Bernard Matthews rose to prominence in the 1960s, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest turkey farmer in Europe. The company’s popularity soared due to its range of turkey-related products, including the iconic turkey Twizzlers. After the founder’s passing in 2010 on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., often known as Turkey Day, the brand has continued to evolve.

Despite the impending closure of the Derby facility, Bernard Matthews retains processing and production operations at other sites, specifically in Sunderland and Holton, Suffolk. The company is committed to assisting its workforce during this transition and ensuring that employees have access to possible redeployment.

The trade union Unite has not yet commented on the latest developments regarding the Derby factory.