600 textiles jobs in doubt

Listers Mill: a past victim of Bradford's industrial decline

More than 600 people could lose their jobs after a decision to call in the receivers at Bradford's biggest wool mill.

W and J Whitehead was set up in 1858 in the Laisterdyke area and is one of only two remaining wool-combers in the UK.

In recent years, the company has launched several initiatives to try to overcome the problems in the UK textile industry.

But a spokesperson said the business could no longer continue because of the strong pound, the manufacturing recession in America and increasing imports.

We thought it might happen maybe a year or so down the line but this has come out of the blue

Harry Tariq Hussain, TGWU

The company has appointed administrative receivers and said it will do all it can for its 640 employees.

In a statement, the board said: "A detailed review of our future trading position has indicated that there will be no recovery in demand in the short term."

Transport and General Workers' Union official Harry Tariq Hussain said the workforce was "shocked and upset" at the news.

He said: "We thought it might happen maybe a year or so down the line but this has come out of the blue.

"We've heard the company has another meeting on Wednesday when they'll decide what will happen.

"For those like me, at least there's some hope of finding new work.

"But people in their 40s and 50s have been in this trade for 20 or 30 years and they know nothing else. They're lost now."