Council's redundancy service to provide support over job losses at British Sugar

Employees at risk of redundancy at British Sugar's famous Cantley sugar beet plant are being offered support by Norfolk County Council's Redundancy Support Service.

Launched last year, the integrated package of support is being deployed to help those impacted by proposals to close the production centre at Cantley, putting 104 jobs at risk.

The County Hall-run programme helps people affected by redundancy access the jobs market and self-employment options, benefits advice, wellbeing services, and training and upskilling. They can also receive assistance with writing applications and CVs, interview techniques, and mentoring.

Businesses facing challenges and the possibility of making redundancies can also get in touch with the service for a confidential discussion and be signposted to a range of organisations around the county and beyond that can support them.

Cllr Kabeer Kher, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Agriculture at Norfolk County Council said: "The news about the closure of the Cantley production plant will be a terrible blow to the workforce and we will do everything we can as a council to support those affected and ensure they are aware of the services that are available.

"We know that losing a job, or facing the prospect of redundancy, can be incredibly challenging, and our Redundancy Support Service can be quickly deployed and work with partner organisations to help people in this situation take their next steps with confidence.

"Norfolk has a resilient and diverse economy, and we are committed to helping people identify new opportunities, develop their skills and move into rewarding employment as quickly as possible."

Sugar beet has been processed at Cantley for more than a century, and it was the first plant of its kind in the UK. However, the company has said it could close from the end of February 2027.

A consultation will take place around the proposals that would consolidate British Sugar's beet processing operations at Wissington in west Norfolk, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Newark in Lincolnshire.

If you are being made redundant or are at risk of losing your job, more information about the service is available here: Redundancy Support Service