Food maker Bakkavor Salads to create 295 jobs in Bo'ness

Image source, M&S

Image caption, M&S food is available in Costa Coffee shops under a new partnership

A salads and snack maker has announced plans to create 295 jobs in Bo'ness.

The move by Bakkavor Salads follows between long-standing customer M&S and Costa Coffee.

The new jobs - which will be a mixture of full-time and part-time roles - will bring the total workforce at Bo'ness to nearly 1,400.

Under the deal with M&S, Bakkavor will produce a range of fresh prepared food, including tomato pasta salads, chicken salads and apple and peanut dippers.

The food will be available in Costa Coffee stores which stock M&S products under a collaborative arrangement.

Bakkavor Salads Bo'ness specialises in making premium salad and vegetable products for the UK's largest grocery retailers, and has been a major employer in the area for more than 40 years.

Image source, Google

Image caption, Bakkavor Salads already employs nearly 1,100 staff at its factory in Bo'ness

General manager Kirk Connor said: "For many people, returning back to the workplace after Covid restrictions will be a bit of a shock, with people facing busy routines and looking for more convenience.

"We're delighted to be working with M&S and Costa Coffee to brighten the return to work with a range of fresh, healthy and tasty meal options."

The Bakkavor group's UK customers include Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. With headquarters in London, the group has more than 20,000 employees and operates 23 factories in the UK, five in the US and nine in China.