British Sugar has proposed closing its Cantley sugar factory on the Norfolk Broads, a move that could put over 100 jobs at risk and end more than a century of sugar production at the site, according to BBC News. The facility, which opened in 1912 as the UK's first sugar-processing factory, produces an average of 130,000 tonnes of sugar every year and last year received an £11m upgrade to improve energy efficiency.
Why British Sugar Is Proposing the Closure
The company said the proposal follows a thorough review of the business, reflecting what Managing Director Keith Packer described, according to the BBC, as "a combination of external pressures, including low average European sugar prices, high energy costs and a market-wide, long-term gradual decline in volumes over time." Packer added: "This proposal has not been taken lightly." The BBC also reported that Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew said British Sugar told him the firm had been loss-making for the past three years as demand for sugar declines.
Impact on Workers and the Local Economy
All employees at Cantley could be affected, British Sugar said. Discussions will begin with Unite, the workers' recognised union, and other employee representatives. The BBC reported that Jerome Mayhew, Conservative MP for Broadland and Fakenham, called the news "devastating" and warned of wider cost implications for Norfolk farmers. He said: "All the sugar beet that comes in, comes from the farms around Norfolk, and that's going to have a very significant impact on the wider farming community." Mayhew also noted that closure could mean higher haulage costs for farmers to reach the next nearest processing facility and would have a "wider economic hit" for secondary businesses supporting Cantley. He is calling for an urgent meeting with British Sugar to challenge assumptions about the plant's viability.
Historical Significance and Future Plans
The Cantley factory sits on the banks of the River Yare in the Broads. Before lorries became the preferred mode of transport, wherries—large sailing boats—carried goods to and from the site. The BBC noted the factory has been a dominant feature of the village and the Broads landscape for more than a century. If the closure proceeds, British Sugar would concentrate its beet processing operations at its three other factories: Wissington in west Norfolk, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, and Newark in Nottinghamshire.
What Happens Next
A consultation will be held over the proposals. The factory will continue to operate as normal this year before a final decision on its future. If approved, closure would take effect from the end of February 2027. The BBC reported that British Sugar's proposal aims to "improve efficiency and support the long-term future" of the UK sugar industry.
British Sugar's UK Beet Processing Sites
| Factory | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cantley | Norfolk Broads, Norfolk | Proposed closure by Feb 2027 |
| Wissington | West Norfolk | Continuing operations |
| Bury St Edmunds | Suffolk | Continuing operations |
| Newark | Nottinghamshire | Continuing operations |
Sources:
