Union chiefs are meeting with Young’s Seafood Ltd management urging them to withdraw a threat to close the Cromer Crab Company in Norfolk UK with the loss of more than 230 jobs.

Unite has criticised the possible 2012 closure and intended to tell management at today’s talks that the company had an obligation to the town to keep the business open.

It said staff had been left devastated by the news that closure of the shellfish processing company – formed in 1980 – was one of the options being considered in a structural review.

Unite said the people of Cromer have been proudly processing its famous crabs for decades and closure of one of the biggest employers in the town, would have an immense impact on the local economy.

Unite regional officer, Ivan Crane, said: “As the town’s biggest employer, this is a massive blow to the community and the surrounding district as alternative employment prospects in the area are minimal.

“The success and growth of this company has been built around a product that is part of the heritage of Cromer. A committed and loyal workforce is now just being abandoned.

“We have a meeting with the company later today and we will urge management to rethink the move as we believe the company has an obligation to this town. The Cromer Crab Company should remain in Cromer.”