Bakkavor, a manufacturer of fresh prepared food, has joined forces with Stagecoach to provide a bus service to support staff working at its site in Newark.

The daily service will see Bakkavor subsidise the cost of travel for its colleagues, to help them get to and from work during the autumn and winter. It will cover day, evening and night shifts – and is an initiative aimed at supporting colleagues who, in the past, have struggled getting transport to and from work.

The news comes at a time when Bakkavor has announced a major jobs boost for the region, currently recruiting for 1,500 jobs nationally – with 196 roles in Newark, 100 roles in Boston, and 143 in Holbeach – there are also new bus services for the Boston and Holbeach sites.

Donna-Maria Lee, chief people officer at Bakkavor, said: “At Bakkavor, we’re immensely proud of our people and their hard work to maintain food supply to the UK’s leading supermarkets at such a critical time. The new subsidised bus service will extend job opportunities in the region by removing the travel barrier for those that would like to apply for work at Bakkavor. The service is also a thank you to existing members of staff, offering a safe, easy way to get to and from work – whilst also reducing the cost of their daily travel.”

All bus stops on route between: Lincoln bus station, Newark Road, Witham St Hughs and Newark

All bus stops on route between: Arkwright Street, Radcliffe on Trent, Saxondale, Newark

All bus stops on route between: Grantham Bus station, Great Gonerby and Newark