'Devastating blow' as Bernard Matthews confirms Derby site closure

Around 600 workers will be affected by the closure of Bernard Matthews’ Derby processing plant later this year.

The food manufacturer has confirmed its Shaftesbury Street facility will shut on 20 December 2026 after a 45-day collective consultation with employees and union representatives.

Bernard Matthews is one of the UK’s best-known poultry producers, making a range of turkey products including frozen breaded foods, cooked meats and fresh turkey.

Usdaw, which represents workers at the factory, described the decision as a “devastating blow” for staff, their families and the wider community.

Sharon Khiari, Usdaw area organiser, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the company has decided to proceed with the closure, despite our attempts to save the site through the consultation.”

Bernard Matthews said the closure followed “continued significant financial losses”, alongside wider economic and geopolitical pressures affecting the site and its supply chain.

The producer cited Brexit, the Covid pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East among the challenges facing the operation.

Usdaw said its focus would now turn to supporting employees affected by the closure.

Khiari added: “Usdaw is now focussed on supporting our members through this very difficult process, by helping them to find alternative employment and retraining opportunities.”

Bernard Matthews said it would also support workers by exploring possible redeployment opportunities elsewhere in the wider business.

The company said it would work with local organisations to help affected employees identify alternative jobs.

Alongside announcing the closure, Bernard Matthews renewed its call for greater government support for the UK food supply chain.

“We are a proud British food business committed to providing quality, affordable food, that’s better for people and the planet,” a company spokesperson said.

“For the past two years, we have urged the Government to take urgent action to support the UK’s fragile food supply chain.”

The company said farmers and food producers were facing rising costs and increasing complexity, which it argued were holding back growth, contributing to food inflation and putting pressure on UK food security.

It warned that further closures could follow without government intervention.

“Without targeted government action on supply chain resilience, planning and taxation, we fear more farms and food manufacturing sites will close, increasing the UK’s reliance on lower-quality imports and weakening food and national security,” the spokesperson added.