Glass factory jobs go as sales fall

Date: 27 October 2003
Source: Westernmorningnews.co.uk
Just over 40 staff at the Dartington Crystal works ended their employment at the North Devon factory yesterday as part of a package of measures designed to get the firm back on an even keel.

The staff were made redundant several weeks ago and yesterday was their official last day.

The firm, which was established in Torrington in 1967, made the job cuts following a 20 per cent fall in sales, which it pointed out was also being experienced by its competitors.

Other measures being planned by the firm to safeguard its future include selling off unwanted parcels of land at Taddiport, near Torrington, and also next to the main factory site in School Lane, Torrington. The firm has just obtained outline planning permission to build around 100 homes on the land near the factory.

It is hoped that money raised by the development can be ploughed back into the business to assist its development.

The plan is likely to be referred to the Government because it is outside development boundaries.

Dartington Crystal was set up by the Dartington Hall Trust, which wanted to extend its activities into North Devon.

The firm has become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors able to get a close-up view of glass blowing.

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