Steve Brine brought the future of the Bendicks chocolate factory to the attention of the Prime Minister today.
Storck UK, which owns and makes the famous brand at its factory in Winnall, near Winchester announced last week it is consulting the workforce on plans which could see production moved to Germany where the company is based.
Mr Brine met with the Managing Director of Storck earlier this week to ascertain the facts of the consultation and is speaking with staff, unions and managers about its future.
He said today; “My meeting on Monday of this week was to get the facts and make the case for Winchester in the strongest possible terms. There are so many positive reasons for the company to make Bendicks chocolates here and I made very clear to them they should tread very carefully before jeopardising that position.”
Mr Brine’s question to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons read; “The German company Storck UK, which owns and makes Bendicks chocolate in my Winchester constituency have announced they are consulting on plans that could see production moved to Germany. 115 jobs in the local area I represent are dependent on this factory which represents the last British chocolate manufacturer. Will the Prime Minister ask one of his Ministers to meet with me and representatives from the company as soon as possible to see if we can help?”
In reply the Prime Minister agreed to fix a meeting for Mr Brine, Bendicks and a Ministerial colleague and said; “I will certainly do that. My hon. Friend is right to speak up for his constituency and for that business. Through the growth review—we will confirm this in the Budget—we are taking steps to ensure that this country is the best place in Europe in which to do business. We have set out plans for the lowest rate of corporation tax anywhere in the G7, but we will also take further steps to ensure that we encourage companies to stay here, come here and invest here.”
The MP added; “I am not expecting the Prime Minister to personally summon Bendicks to No.10 but I hope my raising it in the full glare of PMQs will keep this story on the front page and make it even clearer to Storck UK that this country wants them to stay here, in Winchester, and I look forward to talking it through with Ministers who will know the Prime Minister is now fully aware of the issue. I will be keeping him fully briefed.”
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See PMQs in full from March 9 2011 via www.parliament.uk
