The Cromer Crab Company announces its closure. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

Cromer’s crab factory to go on sale in August

By DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP, Reporter Tuesday, May 29, 2012
1:59 PM

The announcement to close Cromer’s iconic crab company has been a bitter blow to the town and now plans are being put in place which could see the factory up for sale as early as August.

Tom Fitzpatrick, portfolio member for business enterprise and economic development at North Norfolk District Council, met with representatives from Young’s yesterday (Monday).

He said the council would working with the company regarding its plans for the disposal of the factory.

“The factory is going to be closed and the process will started in June and the work will be run down,” he said.

“The factory would then go on sale in August.

“We would like manufacturing capability returned there and would like to see it bought for use as a factory, preferably a food factory. The district council will work to give all the support it can to the staff and give assistance and encouragement to anyone who would be interested in the site.”

After eight months of uncertainty Young’s Seafood, who own the well-established factory, announced last week that the site would be closed by the summer with the loss of 109 jobs.

Remaining staff are being offered the chance of staying with the company as more than 350 jobs are being created at Grimsby and Young’s have said any workers wishing to move will be given priority when applying and offered financial support.

Pete Ward, Young’s chief operating officer, said: “We recognise it’s a challenge for people to move location.

“We will help them financially with out of pocket expenses. And if they subsequently decide to take the roles we will support them in terms of funds towards their relocation.

“If at the end of a four week period they say it isn’t for me then they can revert to taking the full redundancy package.”

Mr Ward said he had spoken to the majority of staff and there had been interest from some in relocating, but there would also be help for those wanting to stay with offers of further training, time off and early release.

6 comments

Well, Youngs may own the brand name, but recent rulings, at EU courts, has said the name of a product is linked geographically, therefore I believe a very strong case could be made to assert that by definition Cromer Crab must come from Cromer

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weaversway

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Pigs can take to the air after all then. My cynicism proved wrong!

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Chris Booty

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Pigs can take to the air after all then. My cynicism proved wrong!

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Chris Booty

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
mr booty this is what young's said last week - "We are today confirming that we will ensure that the Cromer Crab brand stays in its rightful home in Cromer, by working with local stakeholders on how we can give the Cromer community the right to use this brand name into the future.” they also said they wanted to work with the council to do this

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Double Bill

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
That's likely to be something the council aren't able to control. If Youngs own the tradename they can do what they like with it. So they could make a gift of it to the council (flying pigs dept), sell it on or indeed go on using the name themselves.

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Chris Booty

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
what is the council doing to keep the brand in cromer ? it doesnt sound like they are doing anything to help the matter

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Double Bill

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Cromer’s crab factory to go on sale in August

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