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Talks continue over future of Settle dairy site

Arla Foods Settle site in 2022. (Image: Google Maps)

An interested party wants to keep Arla's Settle dairy site in use as a production plant, according to Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith.

Julian said he had put the party in touch with Arla. He met company representatives on Tuesday (10th November) to discuss the future of the creamery as production moves to Lockerbie in Scotland.

Arla confirmed in April 2025 that it would close the Settle creamery, a decision affecting around 130 local jobs.

The move followed plans to invest around £90 million in its Lockerbie dairy to produce long-life and lactose-free milk.

Some Settle employees have already begun transferring to Lockerbie.

Sir Julian Smith said:

“While there remains uncertainty, my priority remains supporting employees, their families and the wider Settle community over the coming period.”

Arla expects more staff to move before the end of the year, with further production teams due to follow in spring 2027.

The company told Smith it would update staff first once it had confirmed the closure timetable.

It then expects to consider how to market the Settle site in the first three months of 2027.

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