KP Snacks has proposed closing the Tyrrells Uttoxeter site after a sustained fall in demand for vegetable crisps and the loss of key export volumes. The company says Tyrrells potato crisps are not affected.
What Happened
KP Snacks began a formal consultation in late February and early March 2026 over the future of the Uttoxeter production site in Staffordshire. The site makes Tyrrells non potato products, mainly the brand’s vegetable crisp range. Reports said the company was looking at stopping that range and closing the factory tied to it. KP Snacks also said no final decision had been made at that stage.
The move quickly became one of the most discussed snack industry stories of 2026 because Tyrrells is a well known premium crisp brand and the Uttoxeter plant has been linked directly to its vegetable snack line. KP Snacks lists Uttoxeter as one of its UK locations on its own site.
Why KP Snacks Is Reviewing the Site
The main reason given by KP Snacks is a sustained decline in demand for Tyrrells vegetable crisps. The company also pointed to the loss of important export volumes. That combination made the business case for the product range weaker, so KP Snacks opened consultation on discontinuing it.
This is an important point. The issue is not presented as a broad problem with the full Tyrrells brand. It is tied to one part of the range. KP Snacks said the proposal relates to Tyrrells vegetable crisps and that the core potato crisp portfolio continues to perform strongly.
What the Uttoxeter Factory Makes
The Uttoxeter site is linked to Tyrrells non potato products. Public reporting says it produces vegetable crisps rather than the main potato crisp lines. That separation matters because it helps explain why KP Snacks can review one product area without changing the wider Tyrrells brand.
Tyrrells is still known for its potato crisps and other snack ranges. KP Snacks has said those products are not part of the proposed closure. This means the likely change, if it goes ahead, is focused on the vegetable crisp operation rather than the full brand.
What Is Affected and What Is Not
| Area | Status in the 2026 proposal |
|---|---|
| Tyrrells vegetable crisps | Proposed to be discontinued |
| Uttoxeter production site | Proposed for closure |
| Tyrrells potato crisps | Not affected |
| Wider Tyrrells brand | KP Snacks says it remains strong |
| Employees at Uttoxeter | Consultation underway, redundancies to be limited where possible |
This summary reflects the public statements reported in March 2026. KP Snacks said it would try to reduce or avoid redundancies where possible and support colleagues during the consultation process.
Why the Decision Matters to Workers
The number of workers directly affected was not immediately disclosed in early reporting. That created uncertainty for staff at the site. KP Snacks said it recognised the difficult position for employees and that it would support them through the consultation.
For employees, the main issue is whether the proposal moves forward and, if it does, whether jobs can be moved elsewhere in the business. KP Snacks said it would explore ways to reduce redundancies, which suggests redeployment may be part of the consultation process.
The retail sector has faced similar pressure this year, with stories such as the Matalan Colne Store Closure showing how changing consumer demand continues to impact UK businesses and local jobs.
Why the Snack Industry Is Paying Attention
Tyrrells sits in the premium snack segment, where brand image, shelf space, and export sales all matter. A factory review at a brand of this size sends a clear signal about changing demand in niche snack categories. KP Snacks has not said the issue affects the whole crisp business, but the decision still shows that even established brands can face pressure when sales weaken.
The vegetable crisp category appears to have become harder to sustain at scale. Public reports linked the decision to lower consumer demand and weaker export performance. That points to a market where smaller specialist lines can struggle more than core high volume products.
Travel and export concerns have also affected other industries in 2026, especially after the latest updates linked to FCDO Airspace Closure Warnings changed shipping and international movement plans for several UK businesses.
Tyrrells and KP Snacks Background
KP Snacks acquired Tyrrells in 2018 through the Intersnack Group. The company’s own archive says the deal gave KP Snacks control of Tyrrells’ international portfolio of premium snack brands. Another company source says the acquisition closed in July 2018.
That history matters because the 2026 proposal is part of a longer business adjustment inside the Tyrrells brand. The brand has changed ownership before, and it has already gone through strategy shifts over the years. By 2026, KP Snacks was making a sharper decision about which product lines it wanted to keep investing in.
The Commercial Logic Behind the Proposal
The public explanation points to a simple commercial issue. Demand fell. Export volumes dropped. The product line became harder to support. Once those conditions remained in place, KP Snacks opened a formal review.
This is a common pattern in food manufacturing. Companies often keep their strongest products and review the lines that need more support, more cost, or more distribution than they can justify. In this case, KP Snacks said the potato crisp side of Tyrrells remains strong, which makes the vegetable crisp review look like a targeted business move rather than a brand collapse.
What the Consultation Means
A consultation does not mean a final shutdown has already happened. It means the company is formally reviewing the proposal and speaking with affected employees. In the reports from March 2026, KP Snacks said no final decision had been made.
That distinction is important for accuracy. The site was proposed for closure, not confirmed as closed, in the sources available from early 2026. Any later outcome would need a fresh company statement or updated reporting. Based on the information available now, the correct wording is that the closure was proposed and under consultation.
How the Brand Is Positioned After the Proposal
KP Snacks still presents Tyrrells as part of its brand portfolio. The company website includes Tyrrells among its well known snack brands. That shows the brand itself continues inside the group even while one manufacturing site and one product range are being reviewed.
For retailers and distributors, the key detail is that Tyrrells potato crisps remain in place. That reduces the risk of a wider brand disruption. It also suggests that shelf availability for the main Tyrrells range should stay more stable than the vegetable crisp line.
What to Watch Next
The most important next step is the outcome of the consultation. That will decide whether the Uttoxeter proposal moves ahead as planned, changes shape, or is reduced. Until that point, the company position remains that it is reviewing the future of the vegetable crisp operation and supporting employees during the process.
Another point to watch is whether KP Snacks makes any statement on production transfer, redeployment, or the future supply of Tyrrells vegetable snacks. The public reports available in early 2026 did not give a final answer on those details. They only confirmed the proposed closure, the reasons behind it, and the fact that the consultation was underway.
