Royal pram maker quits Britain

Production of Silver Cross prams will go to the Far East

Embattled royal pram maker Silver Cross has found a buyer, but production will move from Leeds to the Far East.

It will mean the end of 125-years of manufacturing at the factory in Leeds and the loss of all remaining UK jobs.

Only the name and brand will survive when the buyer, toy maker David Halsall International, moves production overseas.

All the Queen's children and Princess Diana were pushed around in Silver Cross prams.

Receivers Deloitte and Touche were called in last month, after a £3m hole was found in the accounts of The Design Company, Silver Cross's parent company.

Staff redundancies

The majority of staff have already been made redundant at the factory in Guiseley, Leeds.

Production there ends on Friday 25 October, with the factory shutting at the end of November.

Any remaining UK staff will be made redundant.

Silver Cross employed 125 people in Guiseley when it went into receivership and only 23 are left.

Far East

But in recent years Silver Cross has struggled to compete against cheaper pushchairs and buggies.

It emerged from administration in 1999, when a family team rescued the firm before selling it to The Design Company.

Talks are still being held over the future of The Design Company in Kearsley in Manchester, where 11 staff remain out of 86 last month.

David Halsall International is based in Fleetwood, Lancashire, although Silver Cross prams will be produced in the Far East.

Alan Halsall, joint managing director, said: "Brand names as famous and with such heritage as Silver Cross are extremely rare and we are excited at the opportunity we now have."