Bruce: Threat to Inverurie Mill is devastating blow

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Oct 2008

Inverurie Paper Mill Faces Unsure Future

Reacting to the news that local Inverurie Paper Mill is to consult on its future, Inverurie MP Malcolm Bruce said:

"This is obviously a devastating blow to Inverurie and the North East economy. We face the prospect of losing almost 400 good jobs with the consequential loss of spending in the local economy. If the mill closes it will end more than 200 years of history in the town. We face the prospect of being an area which had five mills thirty years ago to only one- also in the Gordon constituency- at Stoneywood.

"I am aware that the management are looking at a whole variety of options to secure the future of the mill and they have my support in that. Clearly the survival of the mill would require large-scale investment which may be hard to find.

"Inverurie has a diversified economy and is not a one industry town but the timing of this announcement could not have been worse as we approach a recession. The consultation period does afford some time to look at the options available and to come up with a possible solution that will best serve the workforce and the local community. I will be seeking meetings with management and workforce to discuss the prospects."