New investment from one of Carlisle’s leading employers is safeguarding the future of its twice-flooded factory and its 750-strong workforce.

Owners Pladis have decided to invest in and improve their McVitie’s factory in Caldewgate by installing flood measures.

The firm has just been granted planning permission to partially demolish sections of existing boundary walls and construct new flood-resilient ones to the north and east of its sprawling historic site.

A statement to planners said: “The business has taken the decision to protect the site and its 750 employees’ future by investing in the site and protecting it from any future floods.”

Mike Heaney, the factory’s general manager, said: “We’re proud that our factory is part of the fabric of Carlisle’s community and appreciate the support we’ve received to help restore it following last year’s flood.

“The efforts of our Pladis team far and wide has enabled us to reopen the factory after just four months.

“We’re still in the process of making improvements to safeguard our factory and we are truly thankful for the tireless efforts of our team to help us continue to bake our much-loved biscuits.”

City council leader Colin Glover said: “I’m really pleased the company has stayed committed to Carlisle, put the factory back into full production and now is looking to make the plant more resilient. It shows a real commitment to the city.”

Production was halted on December 5 due to substantial flood damage to electrical equipment and ovens.

After being submerged in 39.2 million litres of water, 540 tonnes of debris was cleared to allow normal production to restart.