Seven Seas has announced it is consulting staff over plans to close its Hull factory and outsource the manufacturing and packaging of its goods.

The supplements giant, which employs 259 staff at the site, also proposes to relocate its commercial operations to London and will now enter a 90-day consultation period with its employees.

In a statement, the company said no job losses were being made at this stage, but confirmed there would be a phased shutdown of the Hull factory over a period of two to three years if the plan was adopted at the end of the consultation process.

“We are not making this proposal lightly,” Seven Seas managing director John Redman said. “It reflects the continuing difficult economic conditions that the company is facing. Seven Seas has been a leading health brand for 77 years and we have to take action now to ensure that it remains successful in the years ahead.”