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| TVR to move car production abroad | TVR to move car production abroad |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Sports car company TVR is to cease production in the UK, with the loss of 250 jobs at its factory in Blackpool. | Sports car company TVR is to cease production in the UK, with the loss of 250 jobs at its factory in Blackpool. |
| The move sees the company go back on an earlier agreement to keep production in the Lancashire seaside town. | The move sees the company go back on an earlier agreement to keep production in the Lancashire seaside town. |
| TVR, which was bought by young Russian tycoon Nikolai Smolensky in 2004, said it was now in consultation with unions over redundancies. | TVR, which was bought by young Russian tycoon Nikolai Smolensky in 2004, said it was now in consultation with unions over redundancies. |
| The Transport and General Workers Union said it was a bitterly disappointed at the decision. | |
| Speculation that the firm would give up on UK production had been growing since the start of the year. | |
| This is a bitter blow for Blackpool and an iconic British sports car Dave McCall, transport union | |
| Yet only last month TVR said it would be staying in Blackpool, firstly at its current site in Bispham until 2008, and then at a new permanent home at Blackpool Business Park. | Yet only last month TVR said it would be staying in Blackpool, firstly at its current site in Bispham until 2008, and then at a new permanent home at Blackpool Business Park. |
| In April the firm temporarily stood down 71 members of staff due to flagging demand, which was said to have fallen from 12 cars a week to just two. | In April the firm temporarily stood down 71 members of staff due to flagging demand, which was said to have fallen from 12 cars a week to just two. |
| While TVR is renowned for offering high performance cars at a competitive price, it is also fair to say that its vehicles have suffered from reliability issues in recent years. | While TVR is renowned for offering high performance cars at a competitive price, it is also fair to say that its vehicles have suffered from reliability issues in recent years. |
| Established in 1947, TVR is Britain's largest independent sports car-maker. | Established in 1947, TVR is Britain's largest independent sports car-maker. |
| It was founded by Trevor Wilkinson, who used three consonants from his first name for the company title. | It was founded by Trevor Wilkinson, who used three consonants from his first name for the company title. |
| "This is a bitter blow for Blackpool and an iconic British sports car," said Dave McCall, T&G North West regional secretary. | |
| "It is particularly hard to take in after everyone's hopes had been raised just a few months ago when workers who had been laid off were taken back." |