Burgons of Eyemouth ‘not sustainable’, say owners

In a statement released last night, they confirmed that the owners are planning to close the crab factory at Eyemouth “due to continued losses at the business”.

Burgons was bought by The Blue Sea Food Company in July 2012. According the parent company has decided the business is no longer sustainable.

The statement reads: “Despite investments of over £500,000, 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.”

STATEMENT IN FULL

“The Owners of Burgon have 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.

This decision will impact 32 permanent staff and a further 49 temporary seasonal workers who were due to be laid off at the end of December.

Burgons of Eyemouth was purchased from the previous owners in July 2012. Since then, and despite investments of over £500,000, 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 have been briefed, as well as the local MP Calum Kerr and MSP John Lamont.

Discussions have already commenced with staff, customers, suppliers, Scottish Enterprise, the local council, Marine Scotland, and MSP’s as well as the wider seafood industry, to seek any way of either continuing the business or mitigating job losses.”

Mr T Bartlett

Mr D Markham

Ms D Spencer

The Directors, Burgons of Eyemouth