Fridge factory closure costs jobs

The job losses follow a downturn in the market for fridges

A firm making fridges in Cambridgeshire is to cease production at its plant with the loss of 423 jobs.

Indesit is to close its fridge factory in Peterborough by the end of November but a company spokeswoman said the firm is committed to the UK.

It will continue to employ about 1,000 people at Peterborough in its head office, call centre, service and logistics operation.

Despite an £8m investment in the site, production has proved "unsustainable".

Carlos Ramos, manufacturing director, said: "Despite £8m invested in the factory over the last three years as well as extensive discussions with trade unions in the UK and at European level over the past few months, it has been jointly agreed that none of the scenarios explored for Peterborough is sustainable.

Thoughts with workers

"The ongoing decline in demand from the UK market for the free standing cooling products manufactured at the site, combined with increasing manufacturing costs, means we have no other option but to close the factory by the end of November."

Shailesh Vara, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, expressed his disappointment at the job losses.

He said: "This is very bad news and my thoughts are with the affected workers and their families.

"They must all be very worried for the future and I hope that they find alternative employment soon."

Indesit said it had 70 alternative job opportunities available across the company and four other local companies will visit the factory in September to recruit from those losing their jobs.