Watchet paper mill set to close with 'tragic' loss of 170 jobs

The firm has been in the town for more than 250 years

More than 170 jobs are to go in the planned closure of a 250-year paper mill, one of the main commercial employers in west Somerset.

Wansbrough Paper Mill in Watchet is owned by DS Smith and its skilled workforce makes coreboard for building construction.

Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has said its demise was an "immense tragedy".

A staff consultation has begun as the factory aims to close in December.

'Finest assets'

The Conservative MP said he had spoken with the firm saying the decision "had been taken with great reluctance".

He said there were "strong commercial reasons", including the loss of a large contract and "the huge necessary investment to comply with both the higher quality demands of the market and more stringent pollution controls in the future".

A DS Smith spokesman added: "We will work closely with union and employee representatives throughout the consultation process to ensure the best possible outcome for all parties.

"It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further until the completion of the consultation process."

He added that all possible options would be considered for the future of the site.

Mr Liddell-Grainger will be speaking to the firm next week to see what happens next to the staff.

He added: "These are the people we must really be looking after.

"I want to reassure myself that they are going to get the best severance terms possible and that every effort will be made to find them alternative employment, where possible, within the group.

"At the same time we should be alerting potential new investors in the area of the presence of a group of workers who currently represent one of Watchet's finest assets."