WA Turner has ceased pie production less than a year after it launched its first branded products.

Around 50 employees were made redundant at the Tunbridge Wells plant. Another 12 are considering other jobs at the site, which continues to produce sausages.

The company, bought by Anglo beef Processors in 2007, primarily supplied own label pies but launched the Six Hungry Sons brand into Sainsbury’s stores last December. The family-sized chicken, steak and Guinness and steak pies were initially sold for £4.29 in December, then reduced to £3.79 in March. Production stopped last month.

“The adverse economic conditions, coupled with the levels of investment required to maintain the competitiveness of the operation, has forced the company to review the bakery activity.

“It is with regret that this decision has been taken. While other options had been considered during an ongoing consultation process with affected employees, unfortunately no other suitable viable alternative was identified,” a spokesman said.

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