A crab processing company on the Scottish Borders is facing closure due to continued losses, its owners have confirmed.
Burgons of Eyemouth, which was acquired by The Blue Seafood Company three years ago, has started a consultation process with its permanent and seasonal workers after the parent company decided the business was no longer sustainable.
In a statement, the company's directors said, "The owners of Burgon have today informed their staff that due to continued losses at the business they are considering closing the Burgon operation at Eyemouth.
"As such, the owners have warned all the employees based at the site that their jobs are at risk of redundancy.
"Employee representatives will be appointed and will work closely with the owners to consider alternatives to redundancy or ways of avoiding redundancies.
"Burgons of Eyemouth was purchased from the previous owners in July 2012. Since then, and despite investments of over GBP 500,000 (EUR 708,418; USD 759,008), the business has suffered serious financial losses that have been supported by the parent company (The Blue Sea Food Company). These losses can no longer be sustained."
Key agencies and local government have been informed.
The statement concluded, "Discussions have already commenced with staff, customers, suppliers, Scottish Enterprise, the local council, Marine Scotland and MSPs, as well as the wider seafood industry, to seek any way of either continuing the business or mitigating job losses."
- See more at: http://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/uk-shellfish-processor-may-close#sthash.v8zPZleh.dpuf