TVR confirms factory switch plan

Many jobs appear to have been saved at TVR

Luxury sports car manufacturer TVR has confirmed plans to switch production to a new site in Blackpool.

The Russian-owned company will move from its historic Bispham site to a plant at Squires Gate, and also plans a new headquarters in Lancaster.

It said the move would take place over the next few months, but did not reveal how many jobs would be transferred.

On Thursday, the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) said up to 300 positions could be saved.

In May, the firm announced that the Bispham factory would close within six months after a fall in demand for its cars.

Our eventual plan is a brand new factory for TVR, but our choice of site for that facility is a decision to be made in the future Nikolai Smolenski

TVR said the decision to continue production in Blackpool came after extensive discussions with the council.

Some sub-assembly manufacturing will eventually be completed away from the new plant, subject to further discussions.

The firm said customer orders would not be affected by the move, which would be carefully managed to minimise disruption.

TVR's sales, marketing, management and research and development teams will all be based in Lancaster, as well as a new TVR museum.

Skilled workforce

The firm was founded in Blackpool in 1947 by Trevor Wilkinson, who used three consonants from his first name for the company title.

It was bought in 2004 by young Russian multi-millionaire Nikolai Smolenski, who was just 23 at the time.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Smolenski said: "Our eventual plan is a brand new factory for TVR, but our choice of site for that facility is a decision to be made in the future.

"We have introduced a relocation strategy that allows TVR to grow into the international company that has always been my vision, and to continue to build on the improved quality using a skilled and committed workforce."