NEARLY 300 workers at Ellesmere Port’s Bridgewater Paper Mill have been ‘temporarily laid off’ after the plant was forced to halt production.
Canadian-based firm AbitibiBowater announced last week that its Bridgewater Paper Company Limited had filed for administration in the UK.
As a result 271 workers have been laid off as administrators Ernst & Young LLP step up their search to find a buyer for the struggling business.
Originally 108 employees were affected, but on Monday that number increased by a further 163.
Phil Morgan, regional organiser for trade union UNITE, which has 180 members at the paper mill, said: “There is an awful lot of concern and worry among the staff. We have to remain optimistic that they can pull a deal out of the fire.”
Joint administrator Tom Jack added: “This is an extremely unfortunate situation for all employees affected. However, we are extremely grateful for the support and commitment the employees have given during this time of uncertainty.
“We are holding discussions with a number of potential interested parties and are continuing to fulfil customer orders from stock while the sale of the business process continues.”
Ellesmere Port MP Andrew Miller, who met with the administrators and union chiefs last week, said: “They are working full pelt at trying to find a buyer and obviously all parties involved gave a commitment to support them in that goal.”
The pulp, paper and lumber producer has a total of about 50 plants in the United States, Canada, the UK and South Korea. The plant in North Road produces 220,000 tonnes of newsprint a year.
