United Biscuits Carlisle site remains closed
The firm, whose brands include McVitie’s and Jacob’s, confirmed the site would remain closed until further notice after it had carried out an assessment into the factory.
“The local water levels have subsided and site access has been regained by specialist teams,” a spokesman told FoodManufacture.co.uk.
Fulfilment of orders
“Once the initial impact assessment is complete and temporary power supplies are reinstated, we will be able to update further on a planned timetable for the clean up operation, subsequent resumption of production and fulfilment of orders.”
United Biscuits thanked local employees, suppliers and their colleagues across the business for their offers of help.
Storm Desmond at a glance
- A 90-year-old man was killed after being blown into a bus in north London
- A waterfall appeared at Malham Cove in Yorkshire due to heavy rain
- A number of Scottish Premiership and English Football League games were postponed
“Our thoughts remain with the thousands of people across Cumbria and Lancashire who have been impacted by the floods,” the firm added.
Christmas lights
The firm attempted to add some festive spirit to the site by turning on its exterior Christmas lights. The lights carry the message ‘wishing you a cracking Christmas’. See the firm’s tweet below.
Storm Desmond was the fourth named storm in the UK in the 2015–16 storm season. The most affected areas were Cumbria, Lancashire and the Scottish borders.
More than 43,000 homes were left without power and many had to be evacuated due to flooding.
Meanwhile, more than 2,000 farm animals were thought to have drowned in the floods caused by Storm Desmond.
About 2,000 sheep and 100 cattle died, a spokesman for the National Fallen Stock Company told FoodManufacture.co.uk. The organisation provides a nationwide service for the collection and disposal of dead farm animals.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Rural Payments Agency have pledged to help flood-hit farmers in northern England.
