Tyrrells Vegetable Crisps Face Discontinuation as KP Snacks Considers Site Closure
A beloved crisp range enjoyed by consumers across the United Kingdom may soon vanish from supermarket shelves, with workers bracing for potential redundancies and an uncertain future. The much-loved Tyrrells vegetable crisps are facing the axe as their owner, KP Snacks, enters a consultation process to consider discontinuing the product.
Proposed Closure of Uttoxeter Manufacturing Site
The proposed discontinuation would trigger the closure of the Uttoxeter site where these crisps are manufactured, located at Dovefields on the Dovefields Industrial Estate. While the company has not disclosed the exact number of employees who could be affected, the move puts a significant number of jobs at risk. This proposal specifically targets vegetable crisps, with Tyrrells potato crisps remaining unaffected and continuing to perform strongly in the market.
Reasons Behind the Potential Axe
A spokesperson for KP Snacks explained the decision, stating, "KP Snacks has entered into a consultation process on the proposed discontinuation of Tyrrells vegetable crisps, following a sustained decline in demand and the loss of key export volumes." This highlights the economic pressures facing the product, including reduced consumer interest and challenges in international trade.
The company emphasised that no final decisions have been made yet, but acknowledged the uncertainty for colleagues at Uttoxeter. They are providing support throughout the consultation process and have committed to exploring ways to reduce or avoid redundancies if the proposal moves forward.
This development underscores the volatile nature of the snack food industry, where shifting consumer preferences and export market dynamics can lead to significant operational changes. The potential loss of Tyrrells vegetable crisps marks a notable shift in the UK's crisp landscape, leaving fans of the product disappointed and workers anxious about their livelihoods.
