Barry Callebaut has announced it is to concentrate its UK chocolate production in Banbury, resulting in the closure of its Chester site.

The cocoa and chocolate products manufacturer said the production of liquid and solid industrial chocolate would be consolidated at the Banbury site, due to the trend for more customer deliveries in solid form.

The production capacity at the Banbury site would be expanded, which would also enable the company to increase its product range.

The Chester plant, which employs 25 people, is set to close at the end of March 2013, with a consultation process regarding jobs currently under way.