AM wants buyer for Ashley factory

Laura Ashley was based in Carno for nearly 40 years

An AM has called for the former headquarters of the Laura Ashley fashion chain in Powys to be re-developed.

The firm closed its base in Carno, near Newtown, in 2005, but since then it has lain empty.

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has urged the Welsh Assembly Government and Laura Ashley to "work together" to find a buyer for the site.

The assembly government said it was working closely with Laura Ashley.

Carno was the company's original Welsh base when Bernard and Laura Ashley moved to Powys from Kent in 1961. The factory was later opened in the village in 1967.

Lib Dem AM Mr Bates said he had written to Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones about the issue.

Grew rapidly

"There is great potential to revitalise the Laura Ashley site to bring real benefits to the local community in Carno but progress is long overdue," added Mr Bates.

"I have written to the Minister for the Economy, Ieuan Wyn Jones, calling on the assembly government to investigate ways of assisting Laura Ashley in the development of this site in Carno."

The assembly government said it was working to find a buyer for the factory.

A spokeswoman added: "We continue to work closely with the Laura Ashley group to try and ensure beneficial use of the site and will continue in our endeavours to find a suitable purchaser."

Laura Ashley grew rapidly in the late 1960s and early 1970s with shops opening in major cities across the world.

By 1981, when Laura Ashley moved into home furnishings, the company had 5,000 retail outlets around the globe, and the Carno factory was seen to be at the heart of this success.

Laura Ashley has been asked to comment.