Lochcarrron Mill to Shut

[Phil]

Another nail in the coffin of what was once a thriving industry in the Borders. I doubt if anything will replace it either so a blow for local employment.

[McClef]

It would have to be UK wide OC as currently Scotland cannot define its own policy regarding imports.

[Steve Ashton]

May we please not speculate on what may or may not happen with Lochcarron.

As Scotland is closed for the day I contacted the President of Lochcarron Canada directly by phone and asked for an official statement from the Company that I could post here.

I should have that statement in the morning.

Until we have an official response may I remind our members that the mill in Hawick produced only knit wear. All Tartan fabric is produced in the mill in Selkirk. This mill in Hawick is the one that is mentioned in the article not the mill in Selkirk.

[Steve Ashton]

Here is the email I got from Lindsay,



Hello Steve ,

In reply to your question in regard to the planned closure of the Knitwear Division of Lochcarron in Hawick, will have no effect with regards to the weaving of the cloth at the Selkirk headquarters of Lochcarron .

The Official statement from Lochcarron read as follows ,

"All weaving production, which continues to grow and now makes up 85% of the company’s output, will continue in Selkirk. Lochcarron of Scotland moved its headquarters, including design and weaving production facilities from Galashiels to Selkirk in 2007. It also established a visitor centre that has since been awarded Visit Scotland’s five star rating"

Kind Regards Lindsay

Mr Lindsay Gaff
General Manager
Lochcarron North America.
http://www.burnetts-struth.com
http://www.biltkilt.com
Burnetts-Struth Scottish Regalia Ltd
Ph(705)728-3232 Fax(705)728-5923
Business Hrs Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm

He also gave me his assurances that everything would be done for most of the employees in Hawick and that some would be offered positions at the Selkirk facility which is just down the road from Hawick.

[Highlander31]

I feel for those people who will have their lives upended at Christmas time.

[O'Callaghan]

I feel for those people who will have their lives upended at Christmas time.

I once lost a job just in time for Christmas. Fortunately it was long before I had a family to support. It's an awful feeling, though. I'd imagine only being fired on your birthday could be worse.

[Highlander31]

I once lost a job just in time for Christmas. Fortunately it was long before I had a family to support. It's an awful feeling, though. I'd imagine only being fired on your birthday could be worse.

I was informed on my birthday that my operation was to be closed and I had two weeks to term the team and close the office. My boss flew in to tell me in person rather than just do it with a phone call (gives you an idea of what kind of a man he was.) It definitely made for a bad day.