EFFORTS are underway to help hundreds of Kanes Foods workers find new jobs after the shock collapse of one of Worcestershire’s biggest employers.
Wychavon District Council has pledged to work with administrators, the Department for Work and Pensions and other organisations to support workers after Kanes Foods Limited entered administration.
The closure of the company’s site in Middle Littleton, near Evesham, has resulted in 662 job losses, according to Droitwich and Evesham MP Nigel Huddleston.
Cllr Richard Morris, leader of Wychavon District Council, said the authority stood ready to help people find new employment following the collapse.
He said: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost their job following the collapse of Kanes Foods, and with their families at what will be an incredibly difficult and worrying time.
“Kanes has been one of Wychavon’s business success stories and a major employer in the Vale of Evesham for many years, so its loss is incredibly sad.
“We stand ready to work with the administrators, our MP Nigel Huddleston, the Department for Work and Pensions and other partners to support those affected and help people find new employment.”
The council also fears the closure could have consequences extending beyond those who worked directly for Kanes.
Cllr Morris added: “We are also conscious of the knock-on impact this could have on other local businesses and those in the supply chain, and we will be looking carefully at the wider impact on our local economy.”
The pledge comes as another major Evesham food company has stepped forward to offer practical help to those who suddenly find themselves looking for work in the run-up to Christmas.
Primafruit, based at Vale Business Park in Evesham, said its HR team would be keeping a close eye on jobs@primafruit.co.uk for approaches from people affected by the Kanes closure.
The company is also holding a drop-in morning alongside Workforce, its labour provider, for people wanting to discuss possible employment opportunities.
Primafruit said: “As a fellow local business, we know how important employment is to individuals, families and our wider community, and we would like to offer some practical support where we can.”
The drop-in will be held at Primafruit on Friday, November 13, from 9am until noon, with no appointment necessary.
The company said people could attend whether they were ready to discuss work immediately or simply wanted to understand what opportunities might be available.
Primafruit added: “Our thoughts are genuinely with everyone affected by this news, and we hope we can offer some support at what we know will be a difficult time.”
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Kanes Foods’ Cleeve Road site appeared largely deserted after workers were sent home following the company’s collapse.
One man, who previously worked for the business for 15 years and whose wife was among its employees, said staff had been taken by surprise.
He said: “They said not to come to work. Everybody was surprised. People are feeling angry and frustrated. What do they do now?”
Mr Huddleston previously described the loss of Kanes Foods as “devastating news for the Vale of Evesham”, saying it had been one of the largest employers in his constituency.
He said he was liaising with the administrators and Department for Work and Pensions to help affected employees access support and advice, including information about redundancy payments and help finding alternative employment.