Nambarrie closure to see jobs go

The Nambarrie manufacturing plant is likely to close

Up to 43 people could lose their jobs with the possible closure of the Nambarrie Tea factory in Belfast later this year.

The company has been consulting staff about the closure of the facility in the Cathedral Quarter.

Manufacturing, senior management and finance and administration jobs will be affected, the company has said.

Sales and distribution will continue in Belfast and the Nambarrie brand will continue, with supply unaffected.

Nambarrie has been in Belfast for more than 100 years.

The decision to consider closure was made by Nambarrie's parent firm, R Twining and Company.

It said it needed to consolidate its UK manufacturing operations in the face of increasing global competition.

Nambarrie managing director Brian Davis said it had been an unhappy announcement to make to staff.

"Our employees have made us a local success and for that we owe them a deep debt of gratitude," Mr Davis said.

"As a company considering this tough decision, and if this proposal is to progress, we will be providing our employees with significant ongoing support in terms of redeployment within the Twinings company in the UK, enhanced redundancy package and out placement support.

"Consumers should be reassured that the Nambarrie brand will continue in Northern Ireland and I am glad that this is the case."