Union anger as Crosfields closure is confirmed.

UNILEVER has confirmed that its Warrington plant is to close before the end of the year.

The closure is being blamed on a sharp decline in demand for the Persil and Surf soap powders which are made at the Bank Quay site.

A total of 123 staff are employed on the site – known to generations of Warringtonians as “Crosfields” and the company says it will do everything it can to support them in the coming weeks and months.

The GMB union described the decision as a “hammer blow” for Warrington and said it would demand proper compensation for the workers.

It is 136 years since the works was opened by Joseph Crosfield.

A GMB spokesman said: “Unilever happily exploits its historical legacy but for its UK manufacturing workforce that is increasingly ringing hollow.

The closure decision has come swiftly after the company announced it was carrying out a review of the plant’s future – sparking claims that it was not a proper review.

But the company says it can find no way to justify keeping the plant open.

In a statement Jon Strachan, vice president of supply chain for Unilever in the UK and Ireland, said: “Following the review we have, unfortunately, been unable to identify any commercially sustainable solutions for the site.

“Therefore, with regret, we are now proposing to close the factory – we know that this news will be difficult for our employees and the broader community, and we are firmly committed to supporting them in every way that we can, should the proposals go ahead.

“Unilever has a number of factories in the UK and here in the north west, so we will discuss any redeployment and reskilling opportunities for our affected employees as part of consultation.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those who were involved for their passion and their commitment to the review.”

GMB and Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols have both voiced their disappointment at the outcome of the review and will continue to campaign on behalf of displaced workers.

Last year the company announced around 15 redundancies at its Warrington site after one production line closed.