Maryport fish smoking factory closes cutting 40 jobs

Owner Brookside Products Ltd has closed its fish smoking factory in Cumbria, resulting in 40 jobs losses.

The factory is in debt by more than £4 million and the owners said they had “done everything” but failed to find a buyer for the factory.

The family business, which was set up in 1987 and moved to Maryport in 1995, has stated that a third of its 64 workers have managed to find other jobs or be redeployed elsewhere in the firm.

More than £400k had been invested in the firm over the last three years, without success.

Director Doug Aitchison told the BBC: “Unfortunately there is no good news.

“The 30-day consultation period has passed and while initially there seemed to be a reasonable level of interest, discussions with interested parties have come to an end and no formal offers have been received.

“We have explored all the options and there seems to be no viable alternatives. Sadly, this means the facility will now close.

“We are sorry this has happened and we have done everything we can to avoid closure. This is a sad day for us all.”