Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP has expressed his disappointment following the announcement of the proposed closure of the Arla Foods site in Settle. The closure, which is part of Arla's restructuring plan, will affect around 152 jobs at the Settle site. Arla has indicated that the decision is driven by the need for additional investment at their Lockerbie site, which has more space and capacity for expansion.
In response to this development, Julian has taken immediate action by writing to Peder Tuborgh, CEO of Arla Foods, and Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council. Julian has emphasised his readiness to assist in any initiative that will protect jobs and support the affected employees.
Commenting, Julian stated, "I am deeply disappointed by the proposed closure of the Arla site in Settle. My priority is to ensure that we explore all possible avenues to protect jobs affected by this decision. I stand ready to work with Arla, the council, and other stakeholders to mitigate the impact on our community."
The consultation process for the closure is set to begin with a meeting on 13 March 2025.
