Sanofi-Aventis sale creates Alnwick jobs fear

Jul 2 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

“The town would be very sorry to see it go. Most businesses would feel some effect from this.”

Coun Castle said it would be “a very worrying time” for staff at the site, which he says employs many local people and pays good wages.

“I do feel sorry for those whose jobs seem to be threatened.”

Sanofi Aventis has a total of 28 R&D sites worldwide.

It has a base at Fawdon, Newcastle, although that is a manufacturing site and is not thought to be affected by the company’s global remodelling.

Management at the Alnwick site could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

The news comes just after Sanofi Aventis awarded the catering contract for the town base to a new company.

It was revealed on Thursday that Wilson Vale Catering Management was awarded the contract.