Jobs go as seafood factory closes

Young's employs more than 2,000 people in Grimsby

Seafood company Young's has announced the closure of its factory in Hull, with the loss of 203 jobs.

Young's said it was closing its chilled food plant in Gillett Street after a review of its manufacturing facilities.

Production is being moved to the firm's headquarters in Grimsby. Young's said Hull staff would be offered the chance to take 125 jobs being created there.

Earlier this month Bird's Eye announced the closure of its fish factory in Hull, with the loss of 500 jobs.

Young's chief executive Wynne Griffiths said: "Unfortunately, neither the production facilities or staff amenities at Gillett Street are up to the standard of the rest of our operations and the cost of correcting these issues is prohibitive."

'Absolutely devastated'

Mark Pearson, who has worked at the factory for three years, said: "I'm absolutely devastated, like everybody else here.

"You have couples here, partners, people who have been here 20 years, so it's like a whole family out of work."

Education secretary Alan Johnson, who is MP for Hull West and Hessle, said he was seeking a meeting with Young's to discuss the closure.

He said: "This is another blow for jobs and manufacturing in Hull.

"Our first priority must be to help the workforce and I have already spoken to the GMB union about extending the help available to the Gillett Street site if we fail to persuade the company to change its mind."

Last year Young's closed its factory in Liverpool Street, Hull, and transferred production of smoked fish to Fraserburgh in Scotland.

Young's acquired the two factories in Hull when it bought Marr Foods in 2003.