Fight to save Hall’s meat plant jobs given 24 more hours

Published on 11/10/2012 02:16

THE owner of the Hall’s of Broxburn meat plant has extended the deadline to decide the future of the closure-threatened meat processing plant.

Dutch company Vion announced yesterday that the deadline for one of the potential bidders to buy the West Lothian facility would be extended until midday tomorrow.

A spokesman for Vion said: “Unless a viable offer is made for the plant, the phased closure plans will regrettably be implemented.

“Therefore, it’s important for everyone concerned that we are able to make a definitive decision as soon as possible and we hope to be able to announce the outcome of this process at the start of next week.”

The plant employs 1,700 people. The owner had said last week, after the end of a 90-day consultation, that the plant would have to close.

Finance secretary John Swinney, who took part in a taskforce to try to save the plant, said two bidders remain.

“The Scottish Government has been committed to doing all that it can to help those working at Hall’s of Broxburn and their families throughout this whole period,” he said.

“Since Vion announced the proposed closure in July, the government and its agencies have taken every action to secure the future of the plant.

“We will continue to work with Vion as they consider their final two bids.”