High Level Task Force meet Clarks

Cumbria's High Level Task Force met with senior representatives from C & J Clark on Friday, 31st January, to discuss the proposed closure of the K Shoes operation at Netherfield in Kendal. 

The Task Force considered the issues that had led the Company to take such drastic action, the level of support available for those people who would be loosing their jobs and the future use of the site following closure. The company said it will be working with the local councils and support agencies to ensure that the best possible package is offered to the outgoing workforce. 

Clarks stated that they were keen to work with local agencies to ensure that the site was brought back into beneficial use as quickly as possible. They said the company had a good track record of ensuring that its former sites remained available for industrial and commercial uses and said the Kendal site would be marketed for such uses both locally and nationally. 

Councillor Jack Richardson, Chairman of the High Level Task Force, said   

"The decision of the company to close the plant is regrettable. The Clarks Company has had a long involvement in Kendal and it must now work with the town to ensure that its employees receive proper support to find new employment and to ensure that manufacturing continues at the Netherfield site." 

This meeting follows one with Tim Parker, the then Chief executive of the Company, in the summer of 2002 during which the Task Force heard of the pressures on UK shoe manufacturing facilities. Clarks stated at that time that the development of shoe making skills in third world countries had, over the last 10 to 15 years, resulted in increased pressures on UK based manufacturing facilities to produce value for money products that meet the demands of the footwear market. The Kendal plant's ability to compete within the footwear market, producing shoes to meet customer's demands at the right price, would, it had been said, ultimately determine the future of shoe making in the town. 

Mr Robin Beacham the Financial Director of C & J Clark said at the recent meeting that the styles of shoes produced at the Kendal plant had over time become less popular. As a result the plant was now working well below its capacity and the company's ability to maintain a manufacturing presence in the town had become unsustainable. 

Clarks has said that the warehousing and distribution operation was not affected by the announcement and that the future of the operation was secure for at least the next 5 years. This currently employs around 70 staff. The Clarks Millom operation, which currently employs around 36 people, was unaffected by the current proposals. 

The company agreed to help personnel who had realistic ideas to develop manufacturing operations that might serve niche markets. Mr Beacham said,   

"The first call on redundant equipment will be from other existing Clarks plants. However, if staff come forward with realistic proposals for small scale manufacturing that can utilise plant we will certainly consider what support we can offer." 

The Task Force highlighted that there was a clear need to ensure that manufacturing and industrial sites were not in short supply in Kendal. 

Councillor Colin Hodgson, leader of South Lakeland District Council said:   

"Clarks were frank and open in their discussions with the Task Force. It is clear that there will be no reversal of their decision to close the shoemaking factory. We must continue to work with the company to ensure that the redundant staff have the best possible chance of employment elsewhere in Kendal and that new businesses can establish themselves on the site as soon as possible." 

The High Level Task Force will meet the company again in the near future to see what progress has been made.