It has been announced that Monaghan Mushrooms, the owner of Thakeham Mushroom Farm, is in talks with workers over shedding about 40 jobs at its newly acquired UK base.

All 400 staff at the farm, near Storrington, have received notice that their jobs could be made redundant.

But the company says the “at risk” letters were issued as the first part of the legal consultation process and its obligations to inform and communicate with employees.

A spokesman for the company said: “We are currently engaged in a restructuring exercise with the objective of reducing the operating losses and securing the majority of the 400 jobs at the Thakeham site.

“The first phase of these consultations involves discussions on voluntary redundancy and we are optimistic that the majority of the reduction in numbers will be achieved by agreement and that we can protect 90% of jobs on site.

“We are currently involved in extensive discussions and consultation with our employees.”

The company, previously known as Sussex Mushrooms, was rescued from administration by the Monaghan Mushrooms group in July 2011.

A spokesman said: “It had been suffering from a lack of investment over many years and incurring significant operating losses.

“In June/July 2011 the employees had not been paid wages for eight weeks and the future of all 400 jobs was in doubt.

“ Monaghan Mushrooms  ensured that the arrears of wages were paid and are committed to protecting as many jobs as possible on the site.”

GMB trade union regional organiser Charles Harrity confirmed 400 of its employee base of around 430 had been notified of the situation at the end of last week.

Mr Harritty expressed concern that staff had been left feeling uncertain about their future.

He said: “The decision to put all jobs at Thakeham Mushrooms at risk is a despicable act. In little over four weeks since the OFT sanctioned the take over by parent company Monaghan Mushrooms, the new owners have completely changed their position. Far from growing the company and securing 400 jobs, it now seems that the whole business is in danger. I have already written to the company challenging their at risk notice.”

It has been announced that Monaghan Mushrooms, the owner of Thakeham Mushroom Farm, is in talks with workers over shedding about 40 jobs at its newly acquired UK base.

All 400 staff at the farm, near Storrington, have received notice that their jobs could be made redundant.

But the company says the “at risk” letters were issued as the first part of the legal consultation process and its obligations to inform and communicate with employees.

A spokesman for the company said: “We are currently engaged in a restructuring exercise with the objective of reducing the operating losses and securing the majority of the 400 jobs at the Thakeham site.

“The first phase of these consultations involves discussions on voluntary redundancy and we are optimistic that the majority of the reduction in numbers will be achieved by agreement and that we can protect 90% of jobs on site.

“We are currently involved in extensive discussions and consultation with our employees.”

The company, previously known as Sussex Mushrooms, was rescued from administration by the Monaghan Mushrooms group in July 2011.

A spokesman said: “It had been suffering from a lack of investment over many years and incurring significant operating losses.

“In June/July 2011 the employees had not been paid wages for eight weeks and the future of all 400 jobs was in doubt.

“ Monaghan Mushrooms  ensured that the arrears of wages were paid and are committed to protecting as many jobs as possible on the site.”

GMB trade union regional organiser Charles Harrity confirmed 400 of its employee base of around 430 had been notified of the situation at the end of last week.

Mr Harritty expressed concern that staff had been left feeling uncertain about their future.

He said: “The decision to put all jobs at Thakeham Mushrooms at risk is a despicable act. In little over four weeks since the OFT sanctioned the take over by parent company Monaghan Mushrooms, the new owners have completely changed their position. Far from growing the company and securing 400 jobs, it now seems that the whole business is in danger. I have already written to the company challenging their at risk notice.”