Anglo-Dutch giant Unilever said it will close its Birds Eye frozen food brand factory in Grimsby, U.K. with a loss of 600 jobs. A spokesman said the company has been reviewing two parts of its U.K. frozen food supply chain since October last year -- a plant in Grimsby and part of its Lowestoft site.

He said Unilever had considered selling the businesses, continuing operations, investing more or closure, and had decided to retain the Lowestoft business while closing the Grimsby plant. "We pursued selling the business," he said, "but it just didn't come to fruition."