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Swindon moves from boom to recession Swindon moves from boom to recession
(about 23 hours later)
By Naomi Grimley BBC World Service correspondent Honda, the biggest employer in Swindon, has temporarily closed By Naomi Grimley BBC World Service correspondent The Food Bank is now serving a new group of users
For the last decade business has been booming in the Wiltshire town of Swindon. But now it's suffering in the recession like everywhere else in the UK.For the last decade business has been booming in the Wiltshire town of Swindon. But now it's suffering in the recession like everywhere else in the UK.
John King has just cycled across town to pick up a few bags of groceries to feed his young family. But this isn't a shop he's come to - it's the base for Swindon's Food Bank.John King has just cycled across town to pick up a few bags of groceries to feed his young family. But this isn't a shop he's come to - it's the base for Swindon's Food Bank.
Food bankFood bank
The Food Bank is a charity which gives out food parcels to local people who've found themselves caught up in the recession.The Food Bank is a charity which gives out food parcels to local people who've found themselves caught up in the recession.
"It all happened very quickly for me," explains John."It all happened very quickly for me," explains John.
"I was working for the building trade and there were lots of redundancies. So I started to look around for work and got myself a job in the automotive trade instead. I was there three weeks and then it was on the news that they were being hit too.""I was working for the building trade and there were lots of redundancies. So I started to look around for work and got myself a job in the automotive trade instead. I was there three weeks and then it was on the news that they were being hit too."
John King has used the Food Bank since he was made redundantJohn King has used the Food Bank since he was made redundant
Since Christmas the profile of those using the Food Bank has changed.Since Christmas the profile of those using the Food Bank has changed.
"People in middle management positions have just been chopped out and left with nothing" explains Richard Belsham, who runs the charity."People in middle management positions have just been chopped out and left with nothing" explains Richard Belsham, who runs the charity.
"There are many companies which have employed people who - in the past - would have had no trouble putting food on the table. Now, though, those companies aren't doing the business they were before this recession.""There are many companies which have employed people who - in the past - would have had no trouble putting food on the table. Now, though, those companies aren't doing the business they were before this recession."
Swindon's SlumpSwindon's Slump
It wasn't long ago that Swindon could boast full employment. For the last twenty years it's been a booming town with a range of jobs - in retail, manufacturing and financial services.It wasn't long ago that Swindon could boast full employment. For the last twenty years it's been a booming town with a range of jobs - in retail, manufacturing and financial services.
Large companies such as Motorola, Intel, Zurich Financial Services and W H Smith followed the car-maker Honda and chose to locate parts of their businesses here. Large companies such as Motorola, Intel and Zurich Financial Services followed the car-maker Honda and chose to locate parts of their businesses here.
But now the very diversity of the town's economy has left it feeling buffeted on all sides by this recession.But now the very diversity of the town's economy has left it feeling buffeted on all sides by this recession.
When the High Street chain Woolworths folded last year, Swindon didn't just lose jobs at its local branch, it also lost over 400 posts at the company's national distribution centre which was based here.When the High Street chain Woolworths folded last year, Swindon didn't just lose jobs at its local branch, it also lost over 400 posts at the company's national distribution centre which was based here.
The town is feeling the pinch too because of the global problems in the car industry.The town is feeling the pinch too because of the global problems in the car industry.
A group of workers from Honda talk about re-training as personal trainersA group of workers from Honda talk about re-training as personal trainers
Honda's car factory is one of Swindon's biggest employers. But the plant is currently on a four-month shutdown during which its workers are still paid - but on a reduced salary.Honda's car factory is one of Swindon's biggest employers. But the plant is currently on a four-month shutdown during which its workers are still paid - but on a reduced salary.
Keeping PositiveKeeping Positive
In a fitness centre on a Swindon industrial estate, eight muscle-bound men are pumping iron furiously.In a fitness centre on a Swindon industrial estate, eight muscle-bound men are pumping iron furiously.
Usually at this time of day, they should be at the car factory.Usually at this time of day, they should be at the car factory.
But given the uncertainty of the times, these men are using the break in production to re-train as personal fitness coaches through lessons provided by their union, Unite, and Swindon College.But given the uncertainty of the times, these men are using the break in production to re-train as personal fitness coaches through lessons provided by their union, Unite, and Swindon College.
Union rep Paddy Brennan says they've run courses on a variety of subjects because it was what their members overwhelmingly wanted during the temporary shutdown.Union rep Paddy Brennan says they've run courses on a variety of subjects because it was what their members overwhelmingly wanted during the temporary shutdown.
He explains the men are hoping they can go back to work as normal in June when production resumes. But he adds "we're in a recession and if things get worse, these men need to compete in a fast-changing market."He explains the men are hoping they can go back to work as normal in June when production resumes. But he adds "we're in a recession and if things get worse, these men need to compete in a fast-changing market."
Honda employee Sean Spillane admits he was anxious when the shutdown first began. "Honda employee Sean Spillane admits he was anxious when the shutdown first began. "
But in a way, this is a golden opportunity because we have four months off - albeit on reduced pay - to learn to do something new. It would be easy to stagnate and be negative about it but I just think it's important to stay positive."But in a way, this is a golden opportunity because we have four months off - albeit on reduced pay - to learn to do something new. It would be easy to stagnate and be negative about it but I just think it's important to stay positive."
Swindon will need that positive attitude now more than ever as the town - like the rest of Britain - braces itself for more job losses in the coming months.Swindon will need that positive attitude now more than ever as the town - like the rest of Britain - braces itself for more job losses in the coming months.