Closure-threatened metal factory is part of Melton's 'soul'

A historical metals factory in Leicestershire that faces closure has been described as the "soul" of the community.

Pipelines firm Saint-Gobain PAM UK is proposing to close its Holwell site, in Melton Mowbray, putting 161 jobs at risk.

A consultation with staff and the GMB Union is under way, the firm said.

Melton Borough Council leader Pip Allnatt told the BBC the site had been a big part of the area.

"A company such as this which has been there since 1881 is part of the soul of the community," he said.

"It provides a natural forum in which local people talk, so whenever there's a company of this nature that has been here for a long time, it's part of the fabric of our community, so it will be a big loss."

Mr Allnatt described the proposed closure as "another nail in the coffin".

The majority of the staff at the site are from Melton Mowbray, according to its owner, and many residents are said to have ties to the plant.

Andy Walker, 59, who lives in the town, said the latest closures were "awful and terrible".

"It's a sign of the state of the nation really and encapsulated locally," he said.

Another resident, Donna Durrance, 56, added: "There's nothing round here. The shops are all closing. There's no jobs for anybody.

"Times are moving on and we're just going backwards. It's like a ghost town."

Simon Dolby, 58, said: "It's just a big loss to the town again. We've lost quite a few factories in the town.

"I used to work at a big warehouse in town, that's gone... and now this as well."

Alan Gwilliam, Saint-Gobain PAM UK's managing director, said the firm would "act with consideration and respect" throughout the consultation.

He said the foundry, which manufactures gratings and access covers, had faced challenges in recent years - including the pandemic, Brexit and cost increases - and that the site had become "uncompetitive".

If the proposal goes ahead, the factory is expected to close in December and manufacturing will move to a sister site in France.

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