Production at Caerlee Mills in Innerleithen has ended after 225 years. Scotland's oldest continually operating textile mill will immediately shed 33 jobs as efforts to keep it open fail.
Christine Grahame MSP has been reacting to the closure of Caerlee Mills in her constituency:
– Christine Grahame MSP"I have been in touch with the Scottish Government to see if there is some way of ensuring that these skilled employees, who have taken years to develop their skills in textiles, can be redeployed within the borders.''
Workers who have lost their jobs following the closure of Caerlee Mills in Innerleithen are waiting to hear what support they will receive as they attempt to find new employment today.
Liquidators had hoped to secure a new buyer for the mill which produces luxure cashmere goods.When no interest was expressed the decision to cease trading with immediate effect was made.
Three staff are being retained in the short term to assist winding down the business.
This is another damaging blow to the Borders textile industry which is being squeezed by competition from cheaper foreign imports.
Blair Nimmo of liquidators KPMG said:
– Blair Nimmo, KPMGDespite our best efforts to secure the sale of the mill we have been left with no option other than to cease all operations with immediate effect.
“Unfortunately 33 of the company’s 36 employees have been made redundant, with three staff being retained in the short term to assist in winding down the business.
“We would like to thank staff for their co-operation through this difficult process. "We will be working with employees to ensure that support to find alternative employment is available for all those who need it.”