BBC News Online: Business

Clothing firm sheds 165 jobs

Dewhirst Ladieswear currently employs 165 people at its Lampeter plant which is to close in April.

It said it hopes most employees will be offered jobs in Swansea and Cardigan.

The company used to manufacture ladies clothing for Marks & Spencer which has turned to sourcing its products from abroad.

In a statement issued on Thursday the company said it was "considering all options" to secure business for the Fishguard unit which employs 290 people.

'Massive blow'

Dewhirst said its first concern was for the employees.

Local Plaid Cymru AMs Elin Jones and Cynog Dafis and the Ceredigion MP Simon Thomas have called for urgent discussions following announcement of the closure.

Elin Jones , the AM for Ceredigion said it was a massive blow to the economy of the area.

She said she intended to meet the Welsh Development Agency to discuss their plans for the site at Lampeter.

Cynog Dafis, AM for Mid and West Wales, raised concerns about the future of Dewhirst's Fishguard plant.

"The situation in Lampeter is a damming example of what this Governments' economic policies and the strength of the pound are doing to the manufacturing industry all over Wales," said Mr Dafis.

A year ago Dewhirst closed two factories in England with the loss of 1,000 jobs.