Wiltshire Council approves planning application for apetito’s new £100m manufacturing facility in Trowbridge

Wiltshire Council has approved a planning application from apetito for a new £100m 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. It will both secure the retention of approximately 700 existing jobs and will 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.

Cllr Helen Belcher, 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.”

Ian Stone, CEO of apetito | 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 | Wiltshire Farm Foods in Trowbridge.”