Hovis workers in Wigan have been hit with fresh woes after it was announced cut-backs were putting 111 jobs at risk.

As reported on Wigan Today, the nature of the cuts is unconfirmed but is expected to affect about half the workforce, including factory floor workers, engineers and office staff. The announcement follows the loss of 40 jobs in July.

It is understood the first redundancies will come into effect from March and Hovis blamed the cuts on falling demand. Further losses could come as the company merges its logistics operations, though this will not impact the Wigan logistics team.

Geoff Atkinson, regional secretary at the Bakery and Allied Food Workers’ Union (BFAWU), told the Wigan Evening Post: “It has come completely out of the blue. We lost 40 staff there in July and we thought that would be it for the time being.

“I come from Wigan and I worked there myself for 22 years and I have a lot of friends in the town, I’m shocked and devastated.”

Atkinson said consultations would start today (26 November 2015).

Simon Devereux, chief operations officer, said: “As part of an ongoing review of our supply chain, we have identified a need to streamline two key areas.

“Firstly, to align bread production with the forecasted reduction in demand, we are proposing the closure of the line at our Wigan Bakery, placing 111 roles at risk.

“The crumpet production line and logistics operation at the Wigan site will continue to operate as today.”