Heinz to close Norfolk Aunt Bessie's potato processing plant

Heinz is set to cut 200 jobs when it shuts a potato processing plant in Norfolk.

Workers at the Westwick site in North Walsham, which produces Aunt Bessie's frozen potato products, were told at lunchtime, the BBC understands.


The proposed closure comes as Heinz's license to manufacture the Aunt Bessie's products will not be renewed when it comes to an end in April 2015.

The company said it was "disappointed" to make the announcement.

It said the closure proposal, which is subject to a 45-day consultation process, was made "after thoroughly exploring extensive alternatives and options".

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb said: "This will be a time of great concern and uncertainty.

"I want to meet both with senior managers and with staff urgently to find out if there is anything I can do to help.

"Heinz must explore fully any option to protect jobs at the factory, and I am determined to make sure they do this."