Ginger nuts to return to shelves – but bourbon blight continues (2024)

A crisis that might have brought UK biscuit lovers to breaking point appears to be easing, with some of the nation's favourite brands set to return to shop shelves.

The severe flooding that hit Carlisle during Storm Desmond in December caused an almost total shutdown of the town's United Biscuits factory, the source of much-loved snacks including McVitie's ginger nuts, Crawford's custard creams and Carr's water crackers. The factory also produces several supermarket own brands and other biscuit varieties, such as bourbons.

Now the factory has confirmed that some of its lines have restarted, reports the Daily Express. Gold Bars are reportedly already back in production, says the BBC, and the making of ginger nuts was due to begin today, with supplies likely to hit shelves in the middle of the month.

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However, fans of other teatime treats are in for a longer wait.

"There is still no news on other favourites including bourbons and custard creams," says the Express, while the BBC adds that water biscuits are likely to remain scarce as they require round-the-clock production in traditional brick ovens. "The crackers, it is being suggested, will not be back in shops until April."

But there is a chance that the shortage may be alleviated in the short-term after two huge cargo planes carrying biscuits were flown into Doncaster Airport, notes the Daily Telegraph.

Dayle Hauxwell, the cargo manager for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: "There has been a lot of press coverage about Britain's biscuit shortage following the floods in December and we are pleased to hear that the factories hope to be up and running again this month. In the meantime, we've been delighted to welcome two flights from Emirates full of the nation's favourite biscuits."

Ginger nut shortage as floods take the biscuit

22 January

Stocks of some of Britain's most loved biscuits are crumbling as a major factory in Carlisle remains closed nearly seven weeks after production lines were submerged under five feet of flood water.

The United Biscuits factory in Caldewgate was caught by the deluge that hit the region late last year and production was halted on 6 December. It could take "several months" to restart the brick ovens used on the site, the company told The Guardian. It has been "unable to find alternative facilities elsewhere in the country to pick up production".

Several well-known brands such as McVitie's ginger nuts, Crawford's custard creams and Carr's water crackers are made at the facility and some supermarkets are already reporting a shortage. "Several supermarkets said they were already running low on stocks of ginger nuts," the Guardian added.

This is the second time in a decade the Caldewgate factory has been hit by flooding and forced to halt production. After a previous closure in 2005, it reopened only thanks to a £1m government grant, which ensured the business returned to a town where it employs 600 people and is an important part of the local economy.

The insurance claim this time round could be as high as £50m, local paper the Carlisle News & Star reports.

Biscuit-lovers have taken to internet forums to lament the "ginger nut famine".

"I first noticed they were gone in my Lidl, they have become my main dunking biscuit then saw they'd gone from two Tescos," wrote one user on Harley-Davidson Hangout.

On Mumsnet, another worried consumer said the top-selling brands were in short supply at her local Morrisons. "There are millions of Nice biscuits, which I've always though misnamed, as they are vile," she added. "They need some rich tea to mop it all up. A drink's too wet without one. Should be just what's needed," advised another.