BOSSES at a successful Lancaster-based clothing company dropped a bombshell on its workers this week by announcing that the factory is to close. More than 100 employees at Career Apparel were left reeling by an announcement from Chief Executive Peter Lucas that the entire operation was being moved to a site near Middlesbrough. The announcement came as a complete surprise to both staff and unions. And, although everyone has been promised a job at the North East factory in Skelton, workers say they are "very upset" at the way they have been treated.

One worker said: "Some of the staff have been here for 20 to 30 years and we all feel badly let down. There has been a factory on this site for more than half a century and all this has gone on behind our backs. It's a disgusting way to treat loyal staff who have worked hard to make the company a success.

We're a big operation that's doing well and I'm sure they could have kept the Lancaster factory going."

The worker added: "We've been offered jobs at the other site but most of the workers have got families and there's no chance of moving. A lot of the staff are in their fifties. How are they going to get new jobs?"

Mr Lucas spoke to employees at the Dallas Road site on Wednesday to tell them that production at the factory would cease in two months.

All employees have been offered jobs working for the parent company, Baird Corporate Wear, and Mr Lucas said it was unfortunate people were losing their jobs even though the company is expanding.

"We have said to all the people based at the Lancaster site, if you want to come and work in Skelton you can. We do want people to come with us and are willing to sort out some sort of relocation package. Obviously some employees, because of family commitments, won't be able to make the move but we want as many as possible to make the move."

Staff at the Lancaster factory were involved in both manufacturing and design and the company is negotiating with unions about relocation and redundancy packages.

Mr Lucas added: "We're expanding and focusing the operations at Skelton. It's strange that people should lose their jobs when a business is growing but we hope some of the staff will come with us."

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