Job threat at Fenstanton Dairy Crest

JOBS are under threat at a Fenstanton dairy despite the success of an ad campaign featuring a rock n roll star. An advertising campaign fronted by Sex Pistols John Lydon is said to have helped Dairy Crest to a nine per cent rise in half-year profits. H

JOBS are under threat at a Fenstanton dairy despite the success of an ad campaign featuring a rock 'n' roll star.

An advertising campaign fronted by Sex Pistols John Lydon is said to have helped Dairy Crest to a nine per cent rise in half-year profits.

However the group has announced it is to slash costs, including the potential closure of its glass bottling operation in Fenstanton, potentially affecting 34 jobs.

A statement released to The Hunts Post said the group is in consultation with staff and trade unions.

It said: "Following a company wide review of our glass bottling capacity across the business, we can confirm that we are considering the potential closure of the glass bottling department at our site in Fenstanton."

Dairy Crest employs more than 200 people in Fenstanton and said production at the village's polybottles site would not be affected.

A spokesman for Dairy Crest said if the job cuts went ahead the number of employees affected would be "significantly less" than 34 as some would be redeployed.

The consultation period is due to last until the end of the month.

The spokesman said: "We have three glass bottling plants and we only need two because the plants have become more efficient.

"Any savings we make will be reinvested in advertising including a new ad campaign due to be launched in the New Year entitled Make Mine Milk."

In the company's interim report published last week, Mark Allen, chef executive, said they had had a "strong six months".

He said they would remain focused on "cash management, cost reduction and the development of our key brands" given the "challenging economic environment".