AN MP has raised concerns after Bradford-based Morrisons announced plans to shut its Rathbones bakery operation - leaving almost 400 workers facing redundancy.

The UK's fifth-largest supermarket revealed last week that it had started a consultation over the potential closure of the Rathbones own-label bakery operation in Wakefield following a "thorough review".

The plans put the jobs of 378 workers at the site at risk of redundancy.

Morrisons, which was founded by William Morrison in Bradford in 1899, was bought by US private equity business Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for £7 billion in 2022.

Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East, spoke of his concerns about the latest plans announced by Morrisons.

Mr Hussain told the Telegraph & Argus: "It is, of course, deeply concerning that almost 400 people are at risk of losing their jobs."

He said it was "particularly alarming" that this was not the first time in recent years that Morrisons workers had been hit with the prospect of job insecurity "despite repeated assurances in the past". 

He added: "Morrisons is more than just the fifth-biggest supermarket in the UK, it started as a family business with its roots in Bradford, and I have long shared my strong reservations about an institution like Morrisons being run by a private equity firm.

"I will be urging the owners to ensure they follow a blueprint that will protect the workforce, by listening to workers and their respective unions, before making any moves to close down the Rathbones site."

The T&A put Mr Hussain's comments to Morrisons and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

Morrisons Morrisons most recently reported a debt burden of around £4 billionA Morrisons spokesperson said: "We acquired Rathbones from administration in 2005. 

"After a period of growth and investment, the business has been loss-making for a number of years.

"Although we have tried several routes to return the business to profitability, none have been successful.

"Over the last few months we have conducted a thorough review of the options for the future of Rathbones. 

"This has led us to consider the possibility of closing the site.

"However, we are considering all alternative options, and want to work with our partner union  Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, together with employee representatives, on how we could change our current business model and safeguard as many jobs as possible.

"The current proposals do, unfortunately, mean that colleagues at the site are at risk of redundancy and we will do everything we can to help those colleagues affected, including investigating whether there are any other suitable roles elsewhere in the group.  

"Our in-store Market Street bakeries remain unaffected and will continue to serve customers freshly made bakery products every day."

A spokesperson for Clayton, Dubilier & Rice said the company had nothing further to add. 

'Asset stripping' concerns

At the end of September, Mr Hussain said he was "very worried" about the direction of travel for Morrisons - after the business announced a £331 million property deal as part of efforts to slash its significant debt pile.

The company announced in September that it expected to complete the "ground rent financing" deal around the start of October.

A statement said Morrisons would sell 76 properties to an undisclosed company - and these would then be leased back to the retail firm.

Sky News reported that real estate investor Song Capital was the buyer.

Mr Hussain raised concerns about private equity firms "asset stripping to boost their profits in the short-term".

He said this could "devastate" the retail sector and pointed out that Debenhams collapsed under private equity ownership.

"Ever since Morrisons was sold off, I've had strong reservations about the involvement of a foreign private equity firm," Mr Hussain added.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Morrisons pointed to the firm's latest financial results, which said its like-for-like sales, excluding fuel and VAT, grew by 2.9 per cent in the three months to July 28.

Morrisons most recently reported a debt burden of around £4bn, although this is down significantly from a peak of £6.2bn.