Household cleaning products firm has announced plans to shut its manufacturing facility in Barrow with a potential loss of 106 jobs.

In a shock announcement the company, which has been battling against tough trading conditions for the past few years, said it was proposing to close the plant in Park Road during the summer next year.

It blamed the move on a fall in demand for the laundry powders manufactured at the site, with the detergent market shifting toward liquids, and forcing the company to “examine our manufacturing footprint” and “realign this in order to remain competitive”.

Staff were told of the planned closure earlier this week, with the McBride bosses confirming it has started a consultation process.

“McBride has a long history in Barrow and the Group does not underestimate the effect of this proposal on our colleagues, their families and the wider community,” the company said in a statement.

“We will now commence a process of collective consultation with employee representatives where the local management team, will discuss the proposal in detail, explore any alternative scenarios, and set out the support, which would be available to any potentially affected colleagues.”