Albert Bartlett’s new potato factory at Westwick, Norfolk, is set to open on 1 September, according to local paper Eastern Daily Press.
A representative for the Scottish potato firm confirmed the news to 100 members of the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association this week, EDPreported.
The spokesperson also said that the company is looking for Norfolk potato growers to grow specifically for the factory, and it has pledged to use 100 per cent British potatoes, EDP said.
Albert Bartlett bought the factory following its closure by Heinz, after it lost a major contract to supply Aunt Bessie’s potatoes, leading to 200 job losses.
Although it is not known how many jobs the new operation will provide, Julia Nix, district manager of the East Anglia Job Centre toldEDPthat Albert Bartlett is working with the organisation in contacting former Heinz employees looking for work.
Nick Lee, North Walsham Chamber for Business chairman, told the news outlet it was good news Albert Bartlett had managed to reopen the factory quickly for this year’s harvest.
“I know a lot of businesses are happy farming wise. Lots of people will be looking for jobs there who lost jobs in April. Albert Bartlett has put a huge amount of investment into the factory,” Lee told the website.
The new factory will produce chilled and frozen potato products under its Rooster brand.
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