Apetito, a leading prepared meals manufacturer, is set to construct a new facility dubbed Kitchen West. This facility will be located on the site of its former pie factory alongside an additional plot acquired in 2021, both situated on the Canal Road Industrial Estate in Trowbridge.
Lee Sheppard, the director of corporate affairs, policy, and sustainability at Apetito, has revealed that an official proposal is currently being drafted for submission to the Wiltshire Planning Office.
As part of the planning process, residents, local businesses, and councillors will have the opportunity to participate in public consultations. This initiative aims to gather feedback regarding the proposed plans before pursuing formal permission for the new site.
Apetito employs approximately 2,000 individuals across the UK, with 670 based in its existing production kitchens on the same industrial estate in Trowbridge.
Importantly, the new facility will not disrupt current production operations in Trowbridge. Instead, it will address the increasing demand for Apetito meals.
“We are proud of our legacy in Trowbridge and want to keep the town as our home to support our teams and retain valued skills,” stated Sheppard.
“We would like to consider the feedback of residents, Councillors, and local businesses at this early stage.
“It’s very important to us that we build a world-class, regenerative, manufacturing facility for Trowbridge that aligns to our commitment to reach Net Zero by 2040. We aim to create one of the most sustainable food manufacturing facilities in the UK. We are working with planners, local partners, and experts to deliver a site that the town can be proud of.”
Apetito supplies a diverse range of prepared meals to the healthcare, education, and social care sectors while also catering to thousands of customers each week through its meal delivery brand, Wiltshire Farm Foods.
Notably, last year, the firm donated 20,000 meals to food redistribution charities, including FareShare and City Harvest London.
