The Kellogg’s factory in Trafford Park could be closing down in the next couple of years after their parent organisation said they don’t see a “long-term future” for it.
A fixture in the Trafford industrial complex and the Stretford area for nearly 90 years, the Greater Manchester Kellogg‘s site produces around a million boxes of popular ranges like Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Coco Pops every day and provides jobs for approximately 360 locals.
However, as a subsidiary of the multinational Kellanova — which manufactures cereal, noodles, snacks like Pringles, Pop Tarts Nutri-Grain bars and more — the location could now be shutting down by 2026, with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) describing the news as “devastating”.
Citing their reasons, Kellanova’s managing director Chris Silcock said that the layout of the site “made sense in the 1930s”, but changes in industrial design in the decades since mean that “you just wouldn’t lay out a factory like that nowadays”.
Kellogg’s could be closing the lifeblood of many locals for more than nine decades if Trafford Park goes. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
For context, cereal at the 27-acre Trafford Park factory travels up and down six floors before finishing its production cycle and, as he went on to explain, employees “only use half the space in the buildings and the investment required to maintain the factory in the coming years is simply not viable”.
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With thousands of Mancunians and employees from around the North West having worked at the buildings ever since it was opened by the Kellogg Company back in 1938, not only would the closure mark the closing of a long chapter in local industry but could see hundreds seriously suffer.
As per The Grocer, Kellanova has now started formal talks with factory staff and union representatives which are expected to last about three months, although they have insisted that Greater Manchester will remain the company’s British home.
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Labour MP for Urmston and Stretford issued the following statement regarding the potential closure of Kellogg’s Trafford, noting that the brand “has a long and proud history in the constituency and the site has been an iconic part of our community for decades – with generations of local families working there.”
My full statement on the deeply worrying news announced today that Kellogg’s are considering closing their Trafford Park site. https://t.co/XhiogZv8Q4
Silcock added, “We know this will be difficult for many to hear”, assuring that they will allow staff to liaise with representatives and “support them in the right way, should this change happen”, insisting that the plans have “nothing to do with the dedication of the outstanding people who work there”.
As for USDAW, area organiser Mick Murray has confirmed they will now enter into “meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case and seek the best possible outcome for staff impacted by the proposed closure.
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“We are providing our members with the support, advice and representation at this difficult time”.
Kellogg’s also has roughly 520 staff employed over the bridge at its HQ and tech hub in MediaCity although they are thought to be unaffected by the announcement, as are staff at their other UK factories and distribution centres.
Former US President Barack Obama is coming to Manchester for a special ‘Evening With’ event
Danny Jones
No, not a prank: the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, is coming to Manchester on his upcoming UK tour.
Confirming just three domestic dates across Great Britain and Ireland, the 44th President turned successful global speaker has delivered talks all over the world, and now he’ll be coming to the Co-op Live arena.
We always knew the industry-leading events space was going to lead to some big names, but no one was expecting this one.
Set to deliver his first-ever ‘An Evening With’ here in Greater Manchester, Barack Obama will be coming to the Co-op later this year.
Officially announcing the live show in line with a key American date, Obama will be making his first-ever visit to our city.
The Co-op Live post reads: “As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, President Barack Obama joins us in Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester to discuss what comes next – for America, and for all of us.”
More than two and a half centuries on from the start of the nation becoming the United States, the series of intimate interviews comes alongside a significant anniversary for both countries.
Always praised for being a talented orator, the 64-year-old ex-Commander in Chief has found a fruitful second career on the so-called ‘keynote circuit’ following his time as POTUS.
Having served two consecutive terms in the post, it feels undeniably surreal to hear that he will be coming to visit, especially amid the obvious recent development of our very own Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, having now become the 59th British PM.
As for Obama, it’s no surprise that he booked the biggest venue possible for his debut talk in 0161.
Presented by SeatUnique, who specialise in affordable but premium hospitality seats/tickets for live entertainment, it goes without saying that this is an unprecedented moment for the venue, specifically.
Set to arrive on 15 October, tickets go live from 10am at the end of this month, with official Co-op members pre-sale passes available from the same time on Wednesday, 29 July.
You can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester is an international city and its popularity is growing rapidly. Barack Obama, former US President is reportedly coming to Manchester this October. pic.twitter.com/9twbfaIWbI
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (via Co-op Live)/Pixabay (via Picryl.com)
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Greater Manchester moorland fires still burning after more than two weeks
Emily Sergeant
Firefighters tackling moorland fires across Greater Manchester are still at work more than two weeks later.
Most notably, a blaze broke out on the evening of Saturday 11 July near the popular beauty spot of Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham, prompting a major multi-agency response with fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) working hard in challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread across the moorland.
Specialist wildfire resources, command support units, drone technology, and partner agencies were also deployed as operations continue across multiple sectors of the incident.
However, firefighters are tackling Dovestone on two fronts, as the fire at Saddleworth has gone on to merge with a fire at Tintwistle, and at Swineshaw.
Greater Manchester moorland fires are still burning after more than two weeks / Credit: GMFRS
The fires have burned hundreds of hectares of moorland, which is equivalent to the size of 1,250 football pitches, the landowner told BBC News.
The fire service said the rainfall and mist over the weekend had dampened the moorlands a bit, but despite this, the fires had not been extinguished and are still being classed as a ‘major incident’.
Three arrests have been made in connection to the Dovestone Reservoir fire, including one woman who has been charged.
20-year-old Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde has been charged with aggravated arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, and dangerous driving, and is next due to appear in court next month on 18 August.
“I’m incredibly proud of our firefighters, who have shown outstanding resilience and bravery this weekend to tackle these wildfires in challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain,” commented GMFRS’s head of response, Ben Levy.
Danny Jones -
9th February 2024 
