Hawick reeling from Locharron mill closure

Kate Smail • Published 15 Oct 2009 09:50 0 Comments

LOCAL MP Michael Moore has demanded the Government take action to secure the future of the Borders textile industry after Lochcarron yesterday confirmed the closure of its Hawick factory.

The luxury textile manufacturer will close its knitwear factory and showroom in December, with the loss of 38 jobs.

Lochcarron, whose headquarters are based in Selkirk, only moved to the town four years ago, taking over the old White of Hawick premises in Victoria Road.

Managing Director, David Ogilvie said: "This will mean the closure of the Hawick factory; however, with likely demand for skilled staff elsewhere within the knitwear industry in Hawick, and additional positions at Selkirk, we anticipate minimal job losses.

"We are now entering into a period of consultation with the trade unions to minimize these job losses and are unable to make any further comment during this process."

During a Parliamentary debate on the future of the Borders textile industry, Mr Moore used Lochcarron as an example to highlight just how deep the crisis facing the sector is.

He said: "The announcement earlier this week of further job losses at one of our region's largest textile producers illustrates clearly the extent of the difficulties that the economic downturn is causing for many firms in the Borders.

"During the debate I made it clear to the Minister that failure to take action now and provide Borders firms with the support they need could result in significant and permanent damage to one of the few remaining world-class manufacturing industries in the UK.

"Although he sounded sympathetic to the points I raised, the test will now be to ensure that his words of support translate into real help for Borders textile firms and their employees. Textile companies have waited too long for Government support - they need it now."

Commenting on the news that Lochcaron is to close its Hawick plant, local MSP John Lamont said: "This is very disappointing news for Hawick and particularly for the families affected by this decision. The town has had more than its share of bad news in the recent past and this closure is another blow to Hawick.

"Having spoken to the Managing Director of Lochcarron today, I know that the company are working hard to minimise the number of job losses. I understand that there is demand for skilled labour in other Hawick knitwear plants so efforts are being made to find work for some of these staff within the town.

"This, coupled with the new posts being created at the company's HQ in Selkirk, will hopefully mean there will be far fewer redundancies than the headline figure suggests.

"However, the timing of the closure - just two days before Christmas - will mean a particularly anxious time for workers as they try to secure alternative work."

"I will be holding a special advice surgery on Friday morning between 10am and 12.30pm for anyone who has been affected by this decision and who would like some advice. It will take place at my office in the High Street and no appointment is required."

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