• Swindon & Wiltshire Manufacturing
• Friday April 3 2026

Go-ahead for £100 million Wiltshire factory

A £100 million factory will be built by one of Wiltshire’s largest employers, after planning permission was granted.

Wiltshire Council approved a planning application from frozen food giant apetito for a new state‑of‑the‑art regenerative manufacturing facility in Trowbridge.

The new facility, known as Kitchen West, will be located on the Canal Road Industrial Estate.

apetito produces frozen ready meals and specialist diet ranges for institutions such as hospitals, care homes, schools and local authorities, with dishes developed by chefs and dietitians and then frozen to preserve nutrition and flavour.

Its subsidiary Wiltshire Farm Foods delivers these types of ready-made frozen meals directly to people’s homes across the UK, primarily serving older and vulnerable customers who want convenient, prepared meals.

The factory will both secure the retention of around 670 existing jobs and create new permanent roles, reinforcing Trowbridge’s position as a key employment centre in the county.

Once operational, Kitchen West will significantly expand apetito’s capacity to produce pre‑prepared meals for hospitals, care homes, education providers, and care services.

It will also support the growing needs of Wiltshire Farm Foods, which delivers meals each week to tens of thousands of people in their own homes.

The new facility will house a six‑line production plant, with three production lines operating initially and capacity for a further three to be added as demand increases.

The development is designed to complement apetito’s existing Kitchen East facility, which will remain fully operational, while easing pressure on current capacity and supporting the company’s long‑term expansion plans.

Ian Stone, CEO of apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods, said: “We are delighted that planning permission for Kitchen West has been granted by Wiltshire Council, marking an important milestone in our ambition to lead the market with one of the most sustainable food production facilities in the UK.

“This facility will play a vital role in supporting our continued growth, helping us expand our production capabilities and continue delivering high-quality meals for the customers who rely on us every day.

“We are proud to be a significant employer in the local area, and Kitchen West represents an investment in our people and the long-term future of apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods in Trowbridge.”

Christian Kessy, COO of the apetito AG Group, added: “Through our products and services, we enhance the quality of life for our customers, especially those with specific dietary requirements.

“We are very proud that with our new ‘Kitchen West’ we will be able to fulfil this commitment even better in the future, making a real difference not only for our customers but also for our employees and the community.”

Cllr Helen Belcher, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “This is great news for Trowbridge, as it represents a significant investment into the town, securing existing jobs, regenerating a long-established employment site, and creating new employment opportunities in the process.

“The new facility will increase capacity while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability. It will help future‑proof apetito’s operations, reduce pressure on the existing Kitchen East site – which will remain fully operational – while also supporting the company’s expanding operations.

“apetito is the largest private employer in Trowbridge, with around 670 of its 2,000 UK employees based in the town. We are delighted that the company has chosen to invest in its future here in Wiltshire.”

apetito revealed its plans in July 2025. Construction of Kitchen West is currently expected to commence in summer 2026.

The company holds four Royal honours, including the King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024 for Sustainable Development.