Over 150 jobs are currently at risk at the McVitie’s factory in Stockport due to a restructure within the snack food company.
McVitie’s is known for producing a range of cakes and biscuits, such as chocolate digestives, Penguin bars, Hobnobs, and Jaffa Cakes, from its Greater Manchester factory – but now, its parent company Pladis has announced plans to restructure that will potentially lead to the loss of 159 of 470 roles.
Pladis said the decision was made as the industry “grapples with new and growing external pressures”, and has blamed rising inflation for pushing up production costs.
It has also pointed to increasing energy costs and supply chain disruption.
Pladis said the Stockport factory remains a “critical part” of its operations in the UK. but it added the factory’s operating model “is no longer sustainable and must be addressed as part of the proposed changes.”
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Over 150 jobs are currently at risk at the McVitie’s factory in Stockport due to a restructure within the company / Credit: McVitie’s
Speaking on the announcement, Nina Sparks – Vice President of Supply Chain at Pladis UK & Ireland – said: “We understand this news will be very difficult for those in Manchester as our Manchester factory remains an important part of our UK business, but our priority now is to provide our colleagues with clear guidance and the right support as we start the proposed consultation process.
“Pladis is the proud custodian of some of the world’s best-loved snacking brands and we believe strongly in their enduring consumer appeal.
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“But, like many other businesses, we are grappling with new and growing external pressures.
“We must, therefore, review and consider appropriate steps to safeguard the future of our whole business.”
McVitie’s is known for producing a range of cakes and biscuits from its Greater Manchester factory / Credit: Flickr
Trade union Usdaw said staff had been left “devastated” by the proposed cuts, and would now begin consultation talks with the firm.
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“This is devastating news for our members, many of whom have given long service to the company and all worked throughout the pandemic when food manufacturing was identified as an essential service,” said Dave Gill, National Officer at Usdaw.
“We will now enter into meaningful consultation talks with the company, where we will interrogate their business case for these proposed job losses, and our priorities are to keep as many staff employed within the business as possible and avoid compulsory redundancies.
“In the meantime we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this difficult time.”
Featured Image – Pladis / McVities
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Six Nations to stay free-to-air as broadcasters strike new TV deal
Danny Jones
Good news for rugby fans as the Guinness Six Nations is set to remain free-to-air for the foreseeable future following a new deal being struck between the competition and its current broadcasters.
With the 2025 tournament approaching its conclusion, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next year and how to contest will be marketed, with many predicting the rights to be snapped up by a major sporting channel.
Fortunately, however, the Six Nations‘ present coverage partners have managed to keep the games as part of the current TV license package after striking a new four-year deal.
The agreement between BBC and ITV, who air all of the annual fixtures between them at the moment, will see the pair host the matches until 2029 at the very least.
As mentioned, it was thought that broadcasters and streaming platforms like TNT Sports might secure the licensing for at least part of the tournament as they continue to expand their large and varied service but, for now, UK coverage is staying right where it is.
Under the new contract, ITV will show 10 games per season, including every England match, while the BBC will air the remaining five fixtures.
BBC will also host all Wales and Scotland home games bar when the two nations play England at Murrayfieldand the Principality Stadiums, respectively.
Better still, not only will the men’s competition be staying free-to-air but BBC will continue to show every game during the Women’s Six Nations as the interest in female rugby continues to grow.
In fact, it’s having quite a boom here in Greater Manchester on its own.
Greater Mancs making strides for the next generation.
This year’s tournament has been as blockbuster and nail-baiting as ever, with England still in with a chance of winning the whole thing if they beat Wales with a bonus point – provided France fail to beat Scotland in the final game.
England’s last game gets underway at 4:45pm and it’s all to play for.
You can find all the best places to watch the remainder of the action down below:
Featured Images — Sum_of_Marc (via Flickr)/Guinness Six Nations
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The incredible £5m Hollywood-style mansion with ‘one in a million’ views
Thomas Melia
Ever fancied waking up in a property that feels so LA, that if you walk past your window fast enough you can imagine catching a glimpse of the Hollywood sign?
If the Oscars has you feeling like you want to live a taste of the high life, then fear not, because we’ve got you covered with a property that feels like it’s straight out of the land of lights, camera, action.
This five bedroom mansion is located in Alderley Edge within Cheshire, and with its oval shaped exterior, you can see a full 360 of the surrounding landscapes.
Before you even see the property itself, you make your way up a private road leading straight to the just-over 10,000 square foot house.
The first floor is mesmerising from its amenities such as a music room, media room, study and sitting room as you walk in, to the collective gym, steam room, sauna and pool at the other end of the house.
What a way to let the light in.Who doesn’t want a pool in their house?Credit: Rightmove
Your eyes can’t help but focus on the wide circular hall, lit up perfectly by the sun roof overlooking it, even on a dull day some natural light is always appreciated.
The second floor has five large bedrooms all with en suites and individual dressing rooms, so you can get yourself all dolled up without having to worry about whose turn it is to use the mirror.
One of the bedrooms even has its own lounge space for when you want to admire how beautiful this grand dwelling place really is.
Obviously the master bedroom has the largest wingspan and is curved in nature with doors opening out onto the balcony terrace which is curved like this house’s exterior.
Those remarkable floor to ceiling windows are stunning.The only thing missing is a glass of sangria.Credit: Rightmove
Every window segment for all the rooms contains three floor to ceiling slabs which are all attached to each other, allowing you to see the outside world without having to leave your room.
The land attached to the property is all contained within a walled proximity featuring a formal garden, a wider dome shaped green space and a final rocky terrain with a stone patio taking up one half.
Still not enough to win you over? How about four adjoined stables and an accompanying garage which makes up the surrounding space on the opposite side.
Adjacent to the oval shaped home, the row of stables are detached from the main house with the garage free standing as well.
Stables and a garage, wow.Bird’s eye view of what could be your next mini oasis.Credit: Rightmove
Emily Sergeant -
22nd March 2022 
