A HUGE supermarket has announced plans to close its bakery arm putting 400 jobs at risk.
The UK’s fifth largest supermarket has been accused of throwing “workers on the scrapheap” by unions.
Morrisons has said it started a consultation over the potential closure of its Rathbones own-label bakery operation in Wakefield.
The decision comes after a “thorough review“.
The move will put 378 workers on the site at risk of redundancy.
Morrisons saved the bakery business from administration in 2005 but has struggled to make it profitable in recent years.
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A Morrisons spokesperson said: “After a period of growth and investment, the business has been loss making for a number of years.
“Although we have tried several routes to return the business to profitability, none have been successful.
“The current proposals do unfortunately mean that colleagues at the site are at risk of redundancy and we will do everything we can to help those colleagues affected.”
They added that the supermarket will investigate whether there are any suitable roles for staff elsewhere in the group.
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It is understood that Morrisons is still considering options to continue to make some baked breakfast items such as muffins and croissants at the site.
If this happens then some jobs could be saved.
Morrisons added that it is considering all options for how it could change its business model to protect as many jobs as possible.
Rathbones is owned by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice.
It makes 47 different bakery items including sliced bread, crumpets, pancakes, hot crossed buns and muffins.
Its 450 in-store Market Street bakeries will not be affected by the potential closure.
How to save at Morrisons
Buying a delivery pass can slash the cost of shopping online if you’re a Morrisons regular.
You also get priorities for Christmas delivery slots.
How much it costs depends on which you get anytime or mid-week, and if it’s for the year, six-months or monthly.
You’ll need to work out the cost compared to how much you spend on delivery without one to see if it’s worthwhile.
Morrisons does a range of wonky veg that can work out cheaper than the main range.
Check websites like Quidco and TopCashback BEFORE you place your order.
Cashback websites PAY you to shop. All you have to do is click through their links and the money is added to your online account.
Search for discount codes on websites like MyVoucherCodes.co.uk and VoucherCodes.co.uk to see if you can get money off at the till.
Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its deals newsletter to get the latest on any offers. We post the best deals in our Sun Money FB group too.
Try switching all of your branded or premium goods for lower level ones and see if you notice the difference.
Morrisons regularly adds new products to its ‘own-brand “savers” range.
This is its value range where prices start from as little as 20p.
It includes all sorts of products including peas, spaghetti, marmalade, jaffa cakes and washing up liquid.
Swap your usual items for savers alternatives and see if you can tell the difference.
Shoppers can earn points with the More Than loyalty scheme when they spend online or in store.
How many points you earn will depend on the offers available at the time, plus you get five points for every litre of fuel at Morrisons petrol stations.
Reach 5,000 points and you get £5 off your shopping, plus there are other offers and coupons and the checkout and via the app.
Shoppers also get cheaper prices that are just for members.
Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, accused Morrisons of throwing “workers on the scrapheap”.
She added: “They have asset stripped Morrisons, with our members now bearing the brunt of their mismanagement with this short-sighted decision to close the site.
“This treatment of people is plain wrong and unfair on the hundreds of people who work at the site and who have had their lives turned upside down by this decision.”
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