Sweet maker Ashbury Needler Blue Bird is considering the closure of a 100 year-old factory in Hull. It was taken on by the company after Ashbury Confectionery's acquisition of Needler Blue Bird last month. The operation manufactures 5,000t of confectionery a year. Products include Needlers Sensations, Blue Bird Toffee and Chewies. Md Mario Gionotta said: "The Sculcoats Lane factory has lost £3m a year for the last two years and continues to lose £30,000 per week. The factory has become financially unviable and would require enormous investment to bring it up to date. The company is considering relocating either to an alternative site in Hull or to parent company Ashbury Confectionery's Corby site. {{NEWS }}