Blaydon Dairy Farmers of Britain site bought by Medina Dairies

Jan 26 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

FRESH jobs hope was brought to the region last night with the buyout of a major milk processing plant.

Dairy Farmers of Britain’s Blaydon site collapsed last year with the loss of around 300 jobs and a devastating impact on regional farmers who relied on it to bring milk to the market.

But now the Gateshead plant has been bought by a dairy company based in the South East, with the promise of around 50 jobs to be created initially – and more to follow.

Independent chain Medina Dairies aims to have the Tyneside dairy up and running by the end of March after signing a deal to buy the freehold and assets of the site, which closed last June with the loss of around 300 jobs.

The group, which is expanding out of core market in the Midlands and the South, intends to start recruiting immediately.

Director of processing Gary White said: “Initially, it will be around 50 jobs and the number will increase over the course of the year as we win more business. We will also be looking to recruit direct farm suppliers and we will be happy to recruit ex-DFB farmers.

“We will initially be looking for half a million litres a week from direct farm supply.”

The company, which is Britain’s biggest independent dairy group and employs around 700 people, mainly supplies milk for the wholesale market for corner shops, restaurants and hotels. It also runs a food service business in London and the Home Counties, where it is a major egg and bread supplier.

Medina is keen to expand into the North East and says it was attracted to the Blaydon site because of its position and facilities.