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Valleys Burberry plant to close Valleys Burberry plant to close
(10 minutes later)
The proposed closure of the Burberry factory in the Rhondda Valley with the loss of 300 jobs, is "very disturbing news" says the area's Assembly Member.The proposed closure of the Burberry factory in the Rhondda Valley with the loss of 300 jobs, is "very disturbing news" says the area's Assembly Member.
A spokesman for the iconic British gabardine designer range said it was no longer "commercially viable" to keep the Treorchy plant open. A spokesman for the iconic clothing range said it was not "commercially viable" to keep the Treorchy plant open and was moving production abroad.
But AM Leighton Andrews said: "We've always believed it's a viable situation at Treorchy and we'll do all we can."But AM Leighton Andrews said: "We've always believed it's a viable situation at Treorchy and we'll do all we can."
Talks will be held with unions over proposals to shut the site early 2007.Talks will be held with unions over proposals to shut the site early 2007.
Speaking soon after the announcement, Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews said: "This is very disturbing news. It's a real blow to the community in the Rhondda.Speaking soon after the announcement, Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews said: "This is very disturbing news. It's a real blow to the community in the Rhondda.
"I will be speaking to the company today, and I've already spoken to the First Minister Rhodri Morgan about this."I will be speaking to the company today, and I've already spoken to the First Minister Rhodri Morgan about this.
Burberry provided well-paid, quality employment and this is a sad loss to the economic infrastructure of the Rhondda Councillor Robert Bevan
"He is ensuring that the Welsh Assembly Government's economic development team will also be making contact with the company, and obviously we want to find out the reasons why the factory is to close.""He is ensuring that the Welsh Assembly Government's economic development team will also be making contact with the company, and obviously we want to find out the reasons why the factory is to close."
The company said the closure plan follows a year-long review of its supply chain and manufacturing process, leaving managers with "no obvious alternative other than to propose the closure of the factory".The company said the closure plan follows a year-long review of its supply chain and manufacturing process, leaving managers with "no obvious alternative other than to propose the closure of the factory".
"The company will be entering into a formal consultation process with its union representatives today. Should the proposal be implemented, the Treorchy site would close around the turn of the year," a statement read. Production of the shirts will be moved abroad where costs are lower. The firm has not said specifically where but it will be either Asia or South America.
Local councillor Robert Bevan said: "This is a bitter economic blow to the Rhondda Fawr and the County as a whole.
"Burberry provided well-paid, quality employment and this is a sad loss to the economic infrastructure of the Rhondda."
Burberry has said it will help employees in Treorchy find alternative jobs inside or outside the company.