AFTER 265 years as Watchet’s biggest employer, the Wansbrough Paper Mill closed its doors for the final time yesterday, with 176 staff left unemployed for Christmas.


Mill owners DS Smith said the aging plant lost a major contract and could not justify the huge investment that would be necessary to raise product quality standards to meet the demands of the modern market and comply with new pollution controls.


The factory had suffered a number of cutbacks in recent years, but nonetheless the news came as a shock when it was first announced in August.


Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger described the loss of the mill as an “immense tragedy”.


“To suddenly lose 176 well-paid jobs is not only devastating for the individual families concerned but is going to hit hard across the whole of the West Somerset economy where wage levels are generally low,” he said.

“Myself and Anthony Trollope-Bellew have been meeting with DS Smith and we are doing everything we can to make sure those going into retirement are looked after, employees who are staying with DS Smith but moving to other locations are cared for.


"We have been talking with EDF and Bridgwater College trying to help employees find jobs.”


There is a hope that Hinkley will be able to take on a number of the workers.
Although Mr Liddell-Grainger and leader of West Somerset Council Anthony Trollope-Bellew are in talks with EDF, Bridgwater College and DS Smith regarding finding opportunities for the workers, EDF cannot guarantee any jobs until a final investment decision for Hinkley C is made.


A spokesman for EDF said: “EDF energy is assisting workers at Watchet Paper Mill using our jobs brokerage service to give careers advice, and looking at employment opportunities that people might be suitable for.”


The mill has played a significant part in Watchet’s history, having first been established as a paper mill in the 1750s after William Wood converted an old apple-press used for making cider to produce paper.


In 1979, the workforce of 280 was producing 1,500 tonnes of product a week from mainly recycled pulp, including brown paper for use by the cardboard box industry, plus glazed and wet strength papers for bags, envelopes, wallpapers, and wrappings.


DS Smith purchased the mill in 1986 after purchasing it for £83 million, and had even invested £1m in the plant as recently as 2014, but emergency meetings were called to inform workers of the potential closure in August.