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184 tobacco jobs go at city plant | 184 tobacco jobs go at city plant |
(about 8 hours later) | |
A cigar factory that has been at the centre of a Cardiff community for nearly 100 years is to close with the loss of 184 jobs. | A cigar factory that has been at the centre of a Cardiff community for nearly 100 years is to close with the loss of 184 jobs. |
The decision to close the Japan Tobacco factory in Grangetown has been blamed on a fall in cigar sales, which has been accelerated by the smoking ban. | The decision to close the Japan Tobacco factory in Grangetown has been blamed on a fall in cigar sales, which has been accelerated by the smoking ban. |
The site in Penarth Road, known locally as JR Freeman's, will close in September 2009. | The site in Penarth Road, known locally as JR Freeman's, will close in September 2009. |
Production will move to Northern Ireland, where 95 jobs will be created. | Production will move to Northern Ireland, where 95 jobs will be created. |
Staff at the factory were being briefed on the closure on Thursday. | Staff at the factory were being briefed on the closure on Thursday. |
A spokesman for Gallaher, part of the Japan Tobacco group which now owns the factory, blamed a 50% reduction in sales since 1999 for the closure. | A spokesman for Gallaher, part of the Japan Tobacco group which now owns the factory, blamed a 50% reduction in sales since 1999 for the closure. |
"The decision is a result of a continuing decline in the UK cigar market, and has been accelerated by the smoking ban," he said. | "The decision is a result of a continuing decline in the UK cigar market, and has been accelerated by the smoking ban," he said. |
"It is a commercial decision (to move production to Northern Ireland)," he said. | "It is a commercial decision (to move production to Northern Ireland)," he said. |
It's a great blow to the area, it's been a big employer for many years. Whole families have worked there, particularly women Joan Gallagher, secretary of Grangetown Community Concern | It's a great blow to the area, it's been a big employer for many years. Whole families have worked there, particularly women Joan Gallagher, secretary of Grangetown Community Concern |
"Commercially it is not viable to keep the Cardiff factory open." | "Commercially it is not viable to keep the Cardiff factory open." |
The new jobs are expected to be created at the company's factory at Lisnafillan, Ballymena, Co Antrim, which employs more than 900 workers. | The new jobs are expected to be created at the company's factory at Lisnafillan, Ballymena, Co Antrim, which employs more than 900 workers. |
The spokesman added: "Obviously the proposal is regrettable and the changes do not reflect the performance of the factory of the workforce in Cardiff." | The spokesman added: "Obviously the proposal is regrettable and the changes do not reflect the performance of the factory of the workforce in Cardiff." |
The old JR Freeman cigar factory moved to Grangetown in Cardiff in 1908 from London and relocated to a new factory in nearby Penarth Road in the early 1960s. | The old JR Freeman cigar factory moved to Grangetown in Cardiff in 1908 from London and relocated to a new factory in nearby Penarth Road in the early 1960s. |
Joan Gallagher, secretary of Grangetown Community Concern, said whole generations worked at the factory, which also employed in the past bus-loads of workers travelling from the south Wales valleys. | Joan Gallagher, secretary of Grangetown Community Concern, said whole generations worked at the factory, which also employed in the past bus-loads of workers travelling from the south Wales valleys. |
"It's a great blow to the area, it's been a big employer for many years. Whole families have worked there, particularly women," she said. | "It's a great blow to the area, it's been a big employer for many years. Whole families have worked there, particularly women," she said. |
Gallaher Group Plc, which makes Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges cigarettes, was taken over by Japan Tobacco earlier this year. | Gallaher Group Plc, which makes Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges cigarettes, was taken over by Japan Tobacco earlier this year. |
Ian Paisley, who is assembly member for North Antrim, said it was "sad news for Cardiff but of benefit to Ballymena." | Ian Paisley, who is assembly member for North Antrim, said it was "sad news for Cardiff but of benefit to Ballymena." |
"It is a vote of confidence in the Ballymena plant and will mean a significant increase in jobs in the locality." | "It is a vote of confidence in the Ballymena plant and will mean a significant increase in jobs in the locality." |
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