Bernard Matthews is to close its turkey processing facility on Shaftesbury Street in Derby, with around 600 workers affected by the decision.
The site will close on 20 December 2026, following the conclusion of a 45-day collective consultation with employees and union representatives.
Bernard Matthews said the decision followed “continued significant financial losses”, alongside a range of external economic and geopolitical challenges that had affected the site and its supply chain.
These included Brexit, the Covid pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the company said.
The decision has been criticised by Usdaw, which represents workers at the Derby factory.
Sharon Khiari, Usdaw area organiser, said the closure was a “devastating blow” for staff, their families and the wider community.
“We are extremely disappointed that the company has decided to proceed with the closure, despite our attempts to save the site through the consultation,” she said.
“Usdaw is now focussed on supporting our members through this very difficult process, by helping them to find alternative employment and retraining opportunities.”
Bernard Matthews said it would support affected employees through potential redeployment opportunities elsewhere in the wider business, as well as working with local organisations to explore alternative employment options.
The company also used the closure to renew its call for greater government support for the UK food supply chain.
“We are a proud British food business committed to providing quality, affordable food, that’s better for people and the planet,” a company spokesperson said.
“For the past two years, we have urged the Government to take urgent action to support the UK’s fragile food supply chain.”
The company said farmers and food producers were facing rising costs and increasing complexity, which it argued were restricting growth, driving food inflation and undermining UK food security.
“Without targeted Government action on supply chain resilience, planning and taxation, we fear more farms and food manufacturing sites will close, increasing the UK’s reliance on lower-quality imports and weakening food and national security,” the spokesperson added.