Published: Wednesday, 16th August, 2006 16:21
Shattered
By Border Telegraph Newsroom
Print Article
Jobs lost at Selkirk Glass
ONE of Selkirk’s biggest tourist attractions has closed with the loss of 34 jobs.
Workers at Selkirk Glass received the shock news of Friday – only days after being informed their positions were safe.
Parent firm Edinburgh Crystal went into administration last month with the loss of 270 jobs.
It was followed into administration a fortnight ago by its subsidiary firm Caithness Glass with a further 60 workers ending up on the dole.
But hopes were building that Edinburgh Crystal’s other subsidiary company, Selkirk Glass, could be saved from a similar fate following a meeting between local MSP Jeremy Purvis and the administrators at the start of last week.
Mr Purvis was told that Selkirk Glass was not in immediate danger.
But on Friday, news reached the Dunsdalehaugh visitors centre that it would also to close.
One worker, who didn’t want to be named, told the Border Telegraph: “This is sickening.
“There were rumours circulating that this would happen but you just hope they’re not true.
“Selkirk is not a big place and finding another job won’t be easy.”
Since Selkirk Glass moved to its current home it has become a major tourist draw. Thousands use the visitor centre and café every week throughout the summer months.
And local politicians have not given up on it continuing.
Mr Purvis said: “There is an outside hope that a buyer will want to take on the lease of Selkirk Glass and continue trading with the café facilities, and the administrator will receive any approaches.
“I had asked that the staff, many of whom I spoke to last week, be better informed about what was happening, but this is the worst kind of news they could have got.
“I was cautiously optimistic about its future because of the growth in the economy in Selkirk Riverside with Oregon Timber and Lochcarron of Scotland moving in later this year.”
Adminstrators, Deloitte and Touche, have not issued an official statement on the reasons behind this most recent closure decision.
But the Border Telegraph believes a downturn in retail sales over the past year and a lack of profit from the catering are responsible.
And staff at Selkirk Glass claim a lack of investment from its parent firm over the past year has led to the poor sales figures.
MP Michael Moore said: “Selkirk Glass, rightly, has a reputation for very high standard glassware and makes an important contribution to tourism in Selkirk and I want the local agencies to offer as much support as possible to find a way this can continue.”
A multi-agency task force has been set up by Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Enterprise Borders to support the redundant workers.
Several members of staff remained over the weekend to help sell off remaining stock.
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