Talks held over dyeing job losses

A total of 62 jobs are under threat at the Langholm Dyeing Company

Emergency talks have been held after a southern Scotland dyeing firm went into administration.

A total of 52 workers were made redundant at the Langholm Dyeing Company last week, with 10 staff retained to help wind up operations.

Company representatives, Scottish Enterprise, council officials and politicians looked into finding a potential buyer for the business.

Langholm councillor Dennis Male said everything must be done to save jobs.

"We believe that the company will still be sold as a company," he said.

"So, if that is the case, there may be some chance of resurrecting something from the ashes.

"As a council we have got to be involved in that discussion as urgently as possible."

Window of opportunity

Mr Male said the move into administration was a significant blow to the town, adding: "What we've got to remember is the 62 jobs on this site are the equivalent to 500 or 600 in a bigger conurbation.

"The devastation for Langholm in this is really quite severe so we have got to try to mitigate that in any way possible."

Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell said after the talks there was still a "window of opportunity" to sell the business as a going concern.

"Really that's the best thing that can happen because that ensures continuing employment on the site," he said.

"It may not be as many people as currently employed there, but it would ensure that it continued as a manufacturing location."

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