Eighteen people are to lose their jobs at Britvic in Belfast, following an announcement that the company is to close its factory there.

Britvic, which has been operating at the Belfast site for 20 years, will also close its factory in Chelmsford, resulting in a further 230 job losses. And 40 jobs will go with the closure of Britvic’s Pennine Spring water factory in Huddersfield.

The measures are part of the company’s plans to merge its UK and Irish operations.

Union Unite has called the job losses ‘a bitter blow’ both for the workforce and local economies.

“The threat to the jobs at the three sites is a very bitter blow for the workers and their families,” says Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for food and drink. “Unite will be doing all it can in the coming weeks to support our members through this difficult period.”