JOBS are under threat at a Bradford bakery as a result of a planned group restructure.

Up to 17 posts at the Hovis bread baking site on Gain Lane are at risk as the company streamlines manufacturing and logistics (distribution) operations due to falling demand.

Hovis Ltd is consulting with staff about the changes and points out that, as a result of other local vacancies there was likely to be a net loss or five jobs in Bradford. The bakery employs around 300 people.

The move is part of wider changes at the company,. including the closure of its Wigan bakery with the loss of 111 jobs.

Simon Devereux, Hovis 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.

" Secondly, we are proposing to combine our logistics and manufacturing functions at our Bradford, Nottingham and Avonmouth sites, as well as restructuring our central logistics management team, which could potentially result in a further reduction in roles. We are now consulting with the colleagues potentially affected by this proposal.”

The current Hovis Ltd business is a stand alone bread and flour production operation created through a 2014 joint venture between UK-based Premier Foods and The Gores Group in the United States, which holds a majority stake.

The deal involved the transfer to the joint venture of the production, distribution, sales and marketing of Hovis, Mothers Pride, Ormo, Granary and Nimble brands.