Wrigley cuts back gum production

The company is shutting the factory over Easter and a May bank holiday

Three hundred staff at a chewing gum factory have been told not to come into work for a day as part of a cut in production because of the recession.

Only 150 staff were earlier told to clock-on at the Wrigley factory in the Estover area of Plymouth.

The company is also to shut the factory for four days between 26 and 29 May.

Bosses said they had organised the short-time working to get past the recession and that it was still committed to the city.

The move was scheduled to coincide with the Easter and May Day holidays, because many staff were due to be taking leave, they confirmed.

In a statement, it said: "Many manufacturing operations have been affected by the current economic climate in the UK, and Wrigley, like others, is not immune from this - as consumers make fewer visits to the shops and travel less.

"However the many oral care and other health benefits of chewing gum mean the future of the category looks good.

"The Wrigley Company has been based in Plymouth for nearly 40 years and has made multi-million pound investments in its facilities over that time.

"Plymouth is a great place to do business and we remain committed to the city".