Jobs at stake

Bad news I fear.Two significant local companies are threatening to shut their doors. There are at least 250 jobs at risk. Wansborough Mill, the biggest employer in Watchet (176 jobs), is owned by D S Smith, a vast packaging empire. Wansborough may be a mainstay for the West Somerset economy but D S Smith has plants across the globe and employs more than 25000 people. I am visiting the Watchet site today to talk to workers and management. I will also be at Cricketer Farm in Nether Stowey, famous for its cheeses but also scheduled for closure next year with 70 jobs at risk. My priority is to see if there is any chance of saving either of these important local companies and, failing that, do my best to ensure that priority is given to finding new jobs and providing any necessary retraining for those affected.