Today, Pauline Latham OBE MP met with the Rt Hon. Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, to discuss the sudden announcement of the closure of Courtaulds in Belper, Derbyshire.
On Wednesday afternoon, Courtaulds confirmed they were going into receivership which would result in a loss of 320+ jobs in Belper as well as some more in other parts of the country. Mrs Latham described the situation as “shocking and saddening for the local community to lose such an established business which supplies so many jobs in the local area. Their products are famous throughout the world and everyone would like to see Courtaulds back up and running at the earliest opportunity”.
During today’s meeting with the Secretary of State, Mrs Latham discussed the Government’s proposed plans to assist those affected by the closure as well as exploring the possibility of a potential buyer. Mr Javid said his staff would speak to the administrators to see what could be done to help. Offers from individuals and businesses wanting to buy the organisation as a going concern would also be looked at to see if the jobs could be saved.
Priti Patel, the Employment Minister said that the rapid response staff from Derby Jobcentre Plus district were on site with administrators yesterday when the announcement was made and issued fact sheets on the support the Government can provide and information to employees.
Following the meeting, Mr Javid commented “I am very sorry to hear of the sad news from Courtaulds. This firm holds special memories for me as my father worked for them in Rochdale in the 1960s. It is a great firm with very hardworking staff. I met with Pauline to learn more about this difficult situation at this uncertain time.”