Local poultry processor planning to double its production levels

A Wrexham-based poultry processor has submitted plans to increase its production.

Maelor Foods, has is seeking permission to vary a condition to increase operations at its Pickhill Lane facility in Cross Lanes, Wrexham.

The existing poultry processing facility at Pickhill Lane in Cross Lanes currently processes one million birds a week.

However under the new plans Maelor Foods aims to double production at the facility to two million birds per week.

Maelor Foods currently employs 250 staff, with 86% of the staff coming from the North Wales area.

If approved, it is estimated that it would create 125 new jobs and an annual boost of £20m across the local economy, significantly contributing to the Welsh Government’s vision for growth in the Food and Drink industry.

The plans submitted by Maelor Foods also include a new proposal which will be funded by the company to further improve the A525/Pickhill Lane junction, to realign its positioning.

The company says this will improve the safety of the junction for all road users.

Ricky Mehta, a Director at Maelor Foods, said: “Since beginning operations at Pickhill Lane in 2014, we have gone from processing 400,000 to one million birds per week since April 2022.

“Across the UK, similar facilities are not limited on the number of birds they process.

“As a result, we have now submitted a variation of conditions application to Wrexham Council, asking to raise the restriction to two million birds a week.

“Our existing facility could process a further one million birds without the need for any physical expansion. This growth would create 125 new, well-paid jobs for local people in Wrexham, whilst boosting our contribution to the Wrexham economy by £20m, every year.

“At a time when the price of food and goods is at the front of everyone’s mind, we hope that Wrexham Council recognises the economic and social benefit our proposals can bring and maximise the potential of existing facilities like ours at Pickhill Lane to help meet demand for well-priced, home reared poultry.”

The application was submitted to Wrexham Council on 12 September 2022.

A decision on the plans is expected in the coming months.