The owner of a tumble dryer factory has confirmed it is closing with the loss of at least 140 jobs.

Appliances firm Beko Europe told staff last month that Hotpoint’s UK factory in Yate, near Bristol, would close on December 31.

The decision marks the end of more than a century of production at the Station Road site.

A Beko Europe spokesman said all affected employees had been notified and were “grateful for their continued efforts”.

The company staff had been alerted to a potential job losses when the company began its consultation in July.

The factory manufactures tumble dryers for the UK and Irish markets.

It is located on the site of the former Parnall Aircraft Factory, where more than 50 people were killed during two air raids in 1941, and production on the site dates back some 107 years.

The company began to consult about closing the plant after a noticeable loss of profits.

Teresa Arbuckle, Beko’s regional director, previously told the BBC that demand for appliances made there “has fallen rapidly as consumers purchase more advanced and energy-efficient models”.

In a statement, a Beko Europe spokesperson said:

“The consultation process announced on 5 July has now been completed and Beko Europe has confirmed the closure of the Hotpoint UK Appliances site in Yate, UK, which will close on 31 December 2024.

“All those affected have been notified. We continue to support all of our employees and are grateful for their continued efforts and commitment throughout. We have also notified the site’s MP and local councilors of the news.”