Dewhirst staff facing job losses will be offered support by Carmarthenshire Council

STAFF facing job losses at Dewhirst in Carmarthen- shire will be offered support and help by the council.

The 114-strong workforce at the Capel Hendre site were told last month that they may be out of work when Marks & Spencer pulls out of the clothing warehouse in October.

But Carmarthenshire Council has announced it is speaking with Dewhirst and is actively planning ways to help those affected.

Officers are looking at promoting the building to companies in a bid to keep it as an employment premises.

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At a meeting of full council this week members were told by chief executive Mark James and director of regeneration Dave Gilbert that actions were being taken to help.

Mr Gilbert said: "They are not intending to shed any labour until October which gives us a bit of time.

"What we intend to do is set up a task force to specifically work on this, and we are already engaging with the Welsh Government.

"We have been in touch with the Jobcentre and careers company, also Un Sir Gâr will play a pivotal role in helping those who are looking for new employment or retraining."

He said there were two ways to tackle the issue.

"Firstly we need to look at how we can find alternative employment for those affected," said Mr Gilbert.

"Secondly, there is an asset of a fairly modern building which has the potential to expand.

Council leader Kevin Madge said: "It is vital we support those people whose jobs are being lost due to the closure of the Dewhirst factory at Capel Hendre. Our priority is to provide help for them to gain new employment, and the focus of the task force will be very much on that.

"We will be seeking to help secure a business tenant for the premises, which in turn will hopefully create more jobs."