A COMPANY in South Somerset has expressed concerns about the job crisis as a result of Brexit.

Norseland, in Ilchester, are struggling to recruit members of staff after many workers - who were from European Union countries - decided to leave the UK after it left the EU.

The company, who supply speciality and blended cheeses, employ 207 members of staff.

Clive Richer, corporate social responsibility manager and HR director at Norseland, said Brexit has 'hit the food and drink manufacturing industry hard in Somerset'.

"So many of our staff returned to their home countries when Brexit happened," he said.

"And we have faced a struggle to recruit replacements because of the general exodus of EU workers across the county and the UK as a whole.

"It is thought that as many as 1.3 million workers have left the UK since late 2019.

"Obviously, Covid-19 is a factor too but Brexit has been the driving force behind the jobs' shortage that we and many companies in the food and drink supply chain are experiencing.

"There has been a lot said about the shortage of staff for hospitality industry in the news recently, but the struggle is real for food and drink manufacturers such as ourselves too.

"While we are maintaining our manufacturing levels at the moment and getting our products out the supermarkets and wholesales across the UK, the labour shortage in Somerset could pose a major problem if it continues in the future."

At the moment, Norseland have a number of full-time vacancies on 40-hour-a-week contracts, as well as part-time vacancies, up to 20 hours a week.

To find out more call Norseland on 01935 842800 and press option five.