Bernard Matthews Great Witchingham site could close

The poultry producer has already stopped work at its processing plant in Great Witchingham, where it has been based for almost 70 years.

The company, which has been owned by national companies since the death of its founder in 2010, blamed spiralling costs, ageing facilities at the site and the impact of bird flu.

It also said changing trends meant that fewer people were eating turkey, its primary product.

Great Witchingham Hall, where Bernard Matthews founded the business (Image: Newsquest)

The firm has made losses of more than £35m over the past two years, which bosses say was due in part to “unprecedented” cost rises on energy, animal feed, fuel, and labour.

They said the cooked meats site was "not a sustainable operation" because of its age and location.

The company, which employs a total of 2,000 people, said it was in talks with workers to "explore the full range of options before making any final decisions" and that all staff would be offered roles at its sister sites across East Anglia.

They include plants in Attleborough and Thetford, in Norfolk, and Holton, Flixton, and Eye in Suffolk. 

Bernard Matthews factory in Great Witchingham (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesman said: “Despite investment in recent years and our efforts to secure more business, it is still loss-making and not commercially viable.

“We understand this will be extremely disappointing news for everyone concerned at Great Witchingham.

“Our key priority now is to hold consultations with all employees and their representatives and explore the full range of options before making any final decisions.”

Unite the Union's regional officer Mark Jaina said: “The potential closure of the Bernard Matthews’ site in Great Witchingham is devastating news for its workers and the local area.

"Unite will be offering support to our members at this difficult time.  

“We will now be entering consultations with Bernard Matthews and will ensure our members’ best interests are the priority.” 

A ONCE 'BOOTIFUL' BUSINESS

The firm is one of the most famous names in the history of Norfolk business and farming.

It was founded in 1950 by Bernard Matthews from his home with his wife, twenty turkey eggs and an incubator.

In 1955, the company moved to Great Witchingham Hall, where Matthews and his family set up their home.

By 1960, the firm was in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest turkey farmer in Europe and little over a decade later, in 1971, it was publicly listed.

Bernard Matthews outside Great Witchingham Hall in 1995 (Image: Newsquest)

It became one of the most recognisable brands of the 1980s after the company launched its first TV commercial in 1980, with Matthews himself introducing his famous 'Bootiful' catchphrase in his thick Norfolk accent.

Bernard Matthews successfully fought off a take-over bid from US food giant Sara Lee in 2000 and the following year, the company was bought back by the Matthews family and made private again.

It faced huge challenges in 2005, after celebrity chef Jamie Oliver campaigned to rid school dinners of the firm's 'Turkey Twizzlers', saying they contained only 34% turkey and were of little nutritional value.

Bernard Matthews discontinued Turkey Twizzlers after a campaign to remove them from school dinners in 2005 (Image: Newsquest)

Twizzlers were banned from school menus, and subsequently discontinued by the company, which suffered from bad PR in the wake of the furore.

Mr Matthews retired as chairman in January 2010, aged 80. He died the following November.

The firm came close to collapse in 2013, axing dozens of jobs, but Rutland Partners stepped in to rescue the business, giving it a £25m cash injection.

A bid to remind customers of its 'bootiful' roots and win over mums across the country saw a rebrand in 2015, and the firm sponsored a series of The Simpsons episodes on Channel 4.

But turnover continued to drop and the company was put up for sale in 2016, when it was bought by Ranjit Boparan, the entrepreneur behind 2 Sisters Food Group.

TURKEY TIMELINE

1950s

Bernard Matthews launched the business in 1950 with twenty eggs and a second hand incubator. 

Five years later he purchased Great Witchingham Hall, which became the company’s headquarters and home to hatching, rearing and preparing turkeys.

1960s

Bernard Matthews entered the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest turkey farmer in Europe.

1970s

The company was publicly listed in 1971 and began producing easy-to-cook frozen turkey products to meet rising demand for quick, convenient meals.

1980s

In 1980, the firm launched its first TV advert, with Mr Matthews introducing the famous 'Bootiful' catchphrase. 

Ready meal products including the Turkey Breast Roast, Golden Drummers and Mini Kiev’s hit shelves.

1990s

Bernard Matthews hit peak popularity in the 1990s and diversified into other meats such as beef, pork and lamb, and even fish.

2000s

Bernard Matthews successfully fought off a take-over bid from US food giant Sara Lee in 2000.

The following year, the company was bought back by the Matthews family and made private again.

In 2007 the company's farm in Holton suffered an outbreak of bird flu. 

The same year, the company's factory B plant closed, with staff moved to A plant, causing many to leave or be relocated at its parent plant.

2010s

The 2010s were a troubled decade for the firm,

Bernard Matthews resigned as chairman in 2010, on his 80th birthday.

The business was bought out by turnaround experts, Rutland Partners in September 2013, following a close brush with insolvency.

In September 2016, the company was sold to an investment company owned by 2 Sisters founder Ranjit Singh Boparan for £87.5 million.
 

2020s

The company’s problems have continued to mount over the past three years. 

In 2022 it reported losses of £25m, which dropped to £10m in 2023.

The company said it has carried out a review of its operations at its headquarters at Great Witchingham and now hoped to "invest and grow" its other sites across East Anglia.