THE NEW managing director of one of Wellington's biggest businesses has assured staff the company will not be pulling out of the town.

Swallowfield has been going through some turbulent times since Christmas after it failed to make enough profits last year.

Fifteen staff were made redundant in January and managing director Tony Wardell announced his retirement earlier this month after 42 years with the firm.

Ian Mackinnon is stepping into his shoes to move the troubled company forward but with all the changes there were fears Wellington could lose the firm all together.

When asked by the County Gazette whether Swallowfield's future lay in Wellington, Mr MacKinnon said: "I don't know how long the foreseeable future is but we haven't got any plans to move from Wellington."