Supermarket fruit and juice business Orchard House Foods is shutting its Gateshead factory, with the loss of up to 430 jobs.
The company, which supplies the likes of Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Pret A Manger, said it plans to relocate production to its existing base in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Orchard House, which makes prepared and packaged fruit, fruit drinks, fruit jellies, fresh fruit yogurts, compotes and granolas, said the move is part of plans to consolidate production at Corby by the end of November this year.
It comes amid soaring costs for food, energy, labour and transport.
The company said it has “started a consultation process with affected colleagues, with up to 430 jobs at risk of redundancy”.
It added that a significant number of jobs will be created in the East Midlands, with support for colleagues from Gateshead who wish to relocate.
