More than 150 workers in a Cheshire town are facing redundancy after Twyford Bathroom announced plans to close its factory – bringing an end to 160 years of manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent and neighbouring Alsager.
Thomas Twyford and his son Thomas William Twyford first started production in Bath Street, Hanley, a town that is part of Stoke-on-Trent, in 1849.
Staffordshire newspaper The Sentinel has the story:
Directors at the Lawton Road plant in Alsager said in May that they were considering stopping production to save costs by transferring it abroad.
And they have now confirmed machines will be turned off by the end of next year with the loss of 157 job losses. Despite that, 183 sales, marketing, customer services and logistics positions will stay in the town.
Senior vice-president Mike Conlon said: “The bathroom market has become increasingly challenging and it is not possible for Twyford Bathrooms to continue production in the UK.”
Locals have expressed their disappointment in comments on the article. You can read its full report here.