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MP and council leaders in talks with Edwards boss
Ref : 10/019 : Date : 23-02-2010
Shoreham MP Tim Loughton lead a high powered delegation of Adur councillors and officers and SEEDA representatives to meet the head of Edwards at their Crawley headquarters on Friday 19th February to discuss the future of the firm's investment in Shoreham after the recent announcement of 144 job losses and further redundancies across Sussex.
The delegation comprised the leader of Adur Council, Neil Parkin, cabinet member for regeneration Jim Funnell, strategic director Peter Latham, regeneration manager Clare Mangan and SEEDA representatives Chris Hale and Area Director Gilly Bartrip.
The discussion covered the prospects for the firm's global technology centre being located in the Adur district particularly with the prospects for further high tech businesses being attracted to Shoreham Harbour with the current regeneration plans; help from Adur Council and SEEDA with finding alternative employment from those affected and the future of the Dolphin Road site where Edwards is based.
Tim Loughton commented: "Edwards has been a major employer in Shoreham for many years and the recent news of substantial job losses with a significant part of the company's production being transferred to Korea was a bitter blow particularly at this stage in the economic downturn".
“We have been in discussions with Edwards since the announcements were made and it was very useful to meet the Edward's bosses at first hand and hear their interest in exploring options for Shoreham and be able to put the case for future investment into the technical expertise that is available in Adur. Following on from the help that Worthing Council gave in liaising with Norwich union to finds alternative jobs for the workers affected there clearly there is a role for Adur to play and I am pleased that they have reacted so positively. It was a very constructive meeting”.
Neil Parkin said: "I would like to thank Nigel Hunton CEO of Edwards for seeing us so promptly and briefing us so fully, my hope is that Shoreham can attract the Global Technology centre".
Nigel Hunton, CEO of Edwards added “After almost 50 year’s association with Shoreham, we are keen to work with Tim Loughton, Adur Council and SEEDA to explore opportunities for employees that will be leaving us. We will be taking a decision on where in Sussex to locate our new research centre in the next 2-3 months and we greatly appreciate the information that was shared about the long term development of Shoreham”.
Ends
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