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Treat for family member marks farewell to plant where more than 300 jobs lost as production switched abroad Julie Hemmings (Yorkshire Post)
A MEMBER of the Terry's family was there when the first Chocolate Orange rolled off the production line at the company's York factory.
So bosses at the city landmark thought it fitting that the last batch of the chocolate treat was given to a member of the family.
Former deputy managing director Peter Terry, 86, the last surviving Terry to manage the factory, yesterday was among those saying goodbye to the plant, closed by parent company Kraft with the loss of more than 300 jobs.
The American food giant has transferred production to other factories across Europe but Mr Terry said the chocolate would still taste the same.
Operations director John Pollock handed over a tray of the last dozen Chocolate Oranges made in York, before he and Mr Terry lined up for a photograph with Tony Coward, John Earnshaw and Ian Johnston, who all have managed the factory during the last half century.
Mr Terry, who lives in Easingwold, joked that recent ill health had affected his tastebuds but he still loved chocolate.
"And Terry's chocolate in particular," he added.
Production at the York factory ended at 1pm on Thursday but yesterday current and former management and some 40 staff from the final shift met yesterday for a drinks reception and the chance to reminisce. "The beer is flowing," said Jason Gore, who came out clutching a lager can.
Mr Gore, 37, had worked at Terry's for more than 14 years, most recently in the chocolate refinery, and came to the reception late, fresh from a job interview at Nestlé.
He said staff had mixed emotions about the closure.
"It had a great atmosphere and it's been a really good place to work," he said. "They gave everyone a good redundancy package and have helped us find other jobs."
Some three-quarters of the 316 employees at the plant, which made chocolate products including Terry's Chocolate Orange and Terry's All Gold, have found alternative employment.
Mr Pollock was offered the chance to relocate but is looking for a new job so he can stay in York. He said it was sad the factory was closing after being part of the community for so long.
"Our employees, who have demonstrated huge commitment to the Terry's name over the years, have worked extremely hard to ensure that the transfer of processes to our alternative sites has gone smoothly," said Mr Pollock.
"I'd like to extend my thanks for their hard work and professionalism during this time. We wish everyone the very best for the future."
The factory in Bishopthorpe Road has been making chocolate confectionery since 1926, although Terry's has a connection with York going back two centuries.
Kraft announced the closure in April last year and has transferred production to other factories in Europe, including Sweden, Belgium, Poland and Slovakia, as part of a global restructuring programme to cut costs and aid future growth.
The company expects to close up to 20 more plants around the world in the next three years.
The 50-acre York site is up for sale and a development brief is being prepared, including proposals for a top-quality hotel, with conference and leisure
space, science and hi-
tech business space and some housing.
City council chiefs see the Terry's site – which could retain the name in its future incarnation – as playing a vital role in York's economy. |