Task force takes on mission to win back clothing jobs

But there are already fears in Crook that Friday's shutdown at the Susie Radin factory will be a hammer blow which could deprive the town's economy of as much as half a million pounds.

The company, which supplies High Street chain Next, announced three months ago that mounting losses had forced it to axe its sole UK factory and shift production to Hong Kong, where labour costs are cheaper.

But efforts to sell the company's site on the Beechburn Industrial Estate have failed.

Myles Handy, economic development director at Wear Valley District Council, predicts that the effects of the closure will be felt all around the town.

He said: "The value of these jobs to the local economy in Crook is £m. We fear it could have an adverse effect on the whole town.

"So far we have not been able to find anybody to take the factory over in its present form, so we are trying to help the employees find jobs or set up their own businesses.

"We are also letting them know about new training opportunities and helping them claim benefits. It is sad because one of our district's greatest strengths is its workforce.

"For the past 50 years, Crook has been recognised in the garment industry for the skill and quality of its workers. Now it looks as those skills will be lost as people move on to new jobs in different fields. There are companies recruiting and some of them will find work but the garment industry cannot compete with the low cost of overseas labour."

Other members of the task force come from Durham County Council, the Government Office North-East, the Employment Service, Bishop Auckland College and County Durham Training and Enterprise Council.

More than 100 clothing jobs were lost in Ferryhill last May at another Next supplier, Praxis Tailoring. A 30-year-tradition ended when it closed down after administrators were called in at the parent company in Shipley, West Yorkshire.

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