Northumberland Foods looks to add 20 jobs

Feb 11 2010 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

One result of its improving performance has been a shift to round the clock working, seven days a week.

Mr Kirkham added: “The company’s improvement could not have happened without the staff and we are grateful for their support. Even the office staff have been coming in to help with production on Sunday afternoons.”

Now the company is turning the corner it is also addressing the issue of repaying its loan to Northumberland County Council which had been due at the end of 2009.

“We need finance to support our ongoing growth and we have asked for a delay in repaying the loan until the end of this year.

“Three quarters of our staff work within a five-mile radius, we source 75% of our raw materials from a 50-mile radius and are a key employer in the local area.”

Concerns have been raised by some Northumberland County councillors after it emerged the loan was overdue.

The council has met staff from Northumberland Foods recently and the repayment options will be considered by the authority’s risk appraisal panel in March.

Graham Adams, business development manager at the council, said: “Northumberland County Council has been instrumental in retaining the production facilities and jobs in Amble and will continue to provide the support needed to assist the company to re-establish itself and move forward.

“The council has provided what is expected to be a short-term loan as part of this process.”

Northumberland Foods was created last February after Cheviot Foods went into administration and directors completed a management buyout.

At the time, they received £440,000 from regional development agency One North East and £45,000 from the council to allow the sale to go through.