MP says JDE gave up on Banbury long ago
17/06/2025
Should the company’s plans go ahead they will have exited the Ruscote Avenue site by the end of next year
Banbury’s MP Sean Woodcock has reacted to the news that JDE is proposing Banbury’s coffee factory site be closed entirely, after offering employment to people from the town for the last 60 years.
Members of Mr Woodcock’s own family have worked at the site on Ruscote Avenue.
He said: “This is a sad day for Banbury. My grandmother worked at General Foods, as it was then known, and so this is something that actually really stings.
“Unfortunately, it seems clear that JDE gave up on Banbury long ago. It was only in 2021 that employees were faced with the prospect of fire and rehire – something that this government has now actually banned.
“I know that this will be an anxious time for employees and their families. What I’ll say to them is get in touch with me and I will see what I can do to help.”
Construction of what was at the time a new Alfred Bird factory began in 1963. Banbury’s Mayor at the time – John Ryan – was filmed for local news programme ATV Today driving a piece of construction equipment onto what was then a farm field site.
Should the proposed closure go ahead JDE plan to have vacated the site completely by December 2026.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
