“End of an era” for Wirral Burtons biscuit factory

Dec 7 2011 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

HUNDREDS of workers left Burtons biscuit factory in Wirral for the last time.

The company shut down its manufacturing plant in Moreton with the loss of more than 200 jobs. The company said 51 staff members would remain on site at a chocolate refinery.

Wallasey MP Angela Eagle said it was the “end of an era” and the closure represented a “lack of vision” on the part of the company, which had been offered ways to make the site more competitive including selling off part of the land.

She said: “The company were very greedy about what they thought the value of the land was and refused to engage.

“They could have reduced overheads on the site and kept manufacturing there.”

Stephen Parker, Burtons employee and union rep for Unite who has worked at the Pasture Road site for 25 years, remains at the chocolate refinery but his brother and sister have been made redundant.