BRADFORDIANS have reacted to Morrisons closing down operations at its distribution centre in the city which puts 450 jobs at risk.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed on Monday that the Bradford firm is to stop operations at its Cutler Heights centre – the chain’s first produce site.

On social media, our readers have been reacting to the news.

Laura Smith said: “Can’t believe they are closing the first Bradford-based production site.”

Ann Keenan said: “Disgraceful. Morrisons has really gone down since the takeover."

John Daniels said: “Tell you one fact everyone’s missing here, the logical way for every commercial vehicle coming out of that site on Rooley Lane to the M62 right into the path of our beloved Clean Air Zone.

“CAZ charges have pushed this company out I bet, turn left out of that site it’s a charge, the alternative is all the way round Stanningley bypass, CAZ has made that site obsolete.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The Morrisons distribution centre at Cutler HeightsThe Morrisons distribution centre at Cutler Heights (Image: Newsquest)

And former Morrisons workers have also waded in online.

Anthony Brewin said: “Everyone knew it was coming they spoke about it when I was there.”

Collette Tyne said: “Disgusting how Morrisons are reacting, I spent three months helping get Thrapston up and running, I was at Cutler Heights for 13 years. People have always stood tall at Cutler, shows you you’re all just a number, they have no loyalty to anyone!!!”

Angie Boocock said: “For last few years they have done redundancies every year near enough.”

The Cutler Heights distribution centre supplies 59 fruit products and 115 million packs of fruit a year.

The closure itself puts 456 employees at the Cutler Heights site at risk of redundancy, and the firm has said it will do everything it can to employ those people in other Morrisons sites locally – such as manufacturing, logistics and retail.

Alternatively, 400 new roles will be created across its other fruit packing site in Thrapston in Northamptonshire, and the distribution centre in Wakefield.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Morrisons currently operates two fruit packing sites at Thrapston, Northamptonshire and Cutler Heights in Yorkshire.

"Recent investments in the Thrapston site have created more capacity and space which has made consolidation of the two sites possible.

"After very careful review and evaluation, we propose to move ahead with a consolidation at Thrapston in the second half of 2023.”