Paper plant closure fears spark community protest

Paper plant closure fears spark community protest38 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJonathan MorrisandJohnny Rutherford,South West

BBC A group of people are standing outside an industrial building in the rain holding handmade signs calling for the site to be saved, including one that reads “SAY NO TO SITE CLOSURE” and another reading “SOS SAVE OUR SITE”. One person in the foreground is holding an umbrella and a cardboard sign, while others stand along a metal barrier behind them with placards, including a message about saving 167 jobs.

BBCDS Smith has been a major local employer in Launceston for nearly 60 years

A demonstration has been held outside a paper company by people campaigning against its possible closure, with workers and their families warning it would be a "huge loss" to the area.

International firm DS Smith is consulting with 167 employees at its site in Launceston, which has been a major local employer for nearly 60 years.

Janice Mason, who works on site as a contractor, said: "We're just trying to highlight the impact of closing this factory."

DS Smith said the proposal followed "a review of UK packaging operations" and was linked to "tough trading conditions" as it looked to "improve efficiency and respond to changing customer demand".

Two people stand outside an industrial building holding homemade signs reading “Beeps Matter!” and “Keep Production Local,” while another sign behind them says “Save Our Site!”. They are standing by a roadside barrier in wet weather, suggesting a small demonstration, with the signs asking drivers to show support and highlighting concerns about the factory’s future.

Janice Mason said it would be "a huge loss" to the town if closure plans went ahead

Mason said generations of local families had worked at the site and warned: "It's going to be a huge loss to this town."

A consultation meeting was held at the same time as the demonstration, with Mason explaining it was "between management workers and unions to see if there's anything that could be done to save the factory".

A person stands outside an industrial building in rainy weather holding a cardboard sign that reads “SAVE OUR FUTURE,” with raindrops visible on the surface of the sign. In the background, other people stand along the roadside with umbrellas and placards, suggesting a small demonstration taking place near the site.

Hayley Sanders' husband and father-in-law work at the plant in Launceston

Hayley Sanders, whose husband and father-in-law both work at the factory, said the aim of the protest was "to raise awareness of how important the site is to the town and community" and "the effect that it (closing) could have on families in the future".

A DS Smith spokesperson said: "We are aware of today's peaceful demonstration related to our proposal and recognise the significance of the site to the wider community in Cornwall.

"Our ongoing focus is on supporting colleagues through our consultation process. However, we are unable to comment further until this has concluded."

In 2024, DS Smith made 70 roles redundant at its site in Louth in Lincolnshire.

Meanwhile, consultations last year at its sites in Plymouth, Derbyshire, Newcastle, Sheerness, and Wellingborough resulted in a decision to close them, the firm confirmed.