Pilgrim’s Europe proposes closure of Appleshaw lamb packing plant

Pilgrim’s Europe has begun consulting staff over the proposed closure of its lamb packing plant at Appleshaw, near Andover in Hampshire, towards the end of January 2027.

The move follows a planned sale of the company’s lamb abattoir at Llanidloes in Powys to meat processor ABP. While about 140 workers at the Welsh facility are expected to transfer to the new owner, the Appleshaw operation is not included in the deal.

The Hampshire site has been a significant local employer for many years. A John Lewis Partnership supplier register recorded 355 workers at the Appleshaw plant in January 2026, but Pilgrim’s Europe has not confirmed a current workforce figure or how many jobs could be lost. The register figure must not be treated as a redundancy total.

What is happening at Appleshaw?

Pilgrim’s Europe has confirmed that a consultation is under way over plans to close its Andover lamb retail packing operation towards the end of January. The plant is at Tilley Down, Appleshaw, postcode SP11 9BB.

The Andover site is a lamb cutting and retail packing facility. It should not be confused with the Llanidloes abattoir in Wales that ABP plans to acquire.

Pilgrim’s Europe says it hopes to retain employees by exploring alternative jobs across its UK operations if the proposed closure goes ahead. It has not publicly detailed how many positions might be available, where those jobs would be based or how many employees might be affected.

How many jobs could be affected?

The John Lewis Partnership’s January 2026 supplier list identifies the site as ‘Pilgrims UK Lamb Andover’ in Appleshaw and records 355 workers. The document covers factories then supplying own-brand John Lewis or Waitrose products.

That is a historical snapshot, not a confirmed number of jobs at risk in November 2026. The figure may have changed since the list was compiled, and the number of possible redundancies will depend on the consultation and any redeployment.

The register also does not establish which retailers are involved in the contracts now reportedly ending.

Why has the closure been proposed?

Farmers Weekly reported on 5 November that the proposed closure follows the conclusion of key retail lamb contracts in January. It also reported that Pilgrim’s Europe had written to customers about its plans on 3 November.

Pilgrim’s Europe says it reviewed its lamb business and wants to focus future investment on poultry, pork and value-added food products. ABP already operates lamb deboning and retail packing facilities, which the companies have cited as the reason the Hampshire operation is excluded from the proposed Welsh acquisition.

Neither the retailers connected to the expiring contracts nor the detailed options considered for the Appleshaw operation have been publicly identified in the announcements examined by Fish 4 News.

What is happening to the Welsh operation?

ABP announced the proposed acquisition of Pilgrim’s Europe’s lamb operation at Llanidloes, Powys, on 5 November. The transaction is expected to be completed in December, subject to the relevant process.

Around 140 employees are expected to move to ABP under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), commonly known as TUPE. That arrangement concerns the Welsh site and does not mean Appleshaw workers are covered by the sale.

ABP chief executive Kevin Cahill described Llanidloes as a strategic fit for its lamb business, citing the area’s sheep production and the plant’s experience in Welsh lamb processing.

Five years after takeover and investment plans

The Appleshaw facility previously operated as part of Randall Parker Foods. Former owner W & J Parker Holdings confirmed in November 2021 that Randall Parker Foods had been acquired by Pilgrim’s UK, bringing the Andover and Powys plants into its operations.

At the time, the former owner said Pilgrim’s planned further investment at both sites. The current proposals would see the Welsh factory change ownership and the Hampshire operation potentially close.

A business with strong community connections

Beyond employment, the Appleshaw team has supported community and charity activity in the Andover area.

Enham Trust reported in January 2025 that the factory had selected the disability charity as its charity of the year for 2024. The charity credited the team with donating barbecue food that helped raise more than £1,500 at a Christmas fayre, sponsoring bunting for a summer fete and raising £525 through employee fundraising.

The partnership also connected Enham Trust with the Walnut Tree Appleshaw Community Team, which raised £443 through Christmas tree sales. These documented activities show that any closure could have an impact beyond the factory’s workforce.

What remains unknown?

The number of people currently employed at Appleshaw and the number of roles formally at risk.
Whether a buyer for the Hampshire site or alternatives to closure have been considered.
The practical scope of alternative employment or redeployment for affected staff.
The outcome and timetable of the staff consultation, and the future of the site.
The identity of the retail contracts reported to be ending in January.

The company has proposed a closure; no final decision following consultation has been established. Fish 4 News will update its reporting when there is verified information about staff numbers, consultation outcomes or the site’s future.