The news was delivered to the 196 factory workers at a meeting at 3 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday). The Coats Viyella factory is the latest casualty supplying a troubled textile industry competing against cheaper producers in the developing world.

    When the factory closes it will be the third manufacturer in as many years to close in Lisnaskea, bringing the total of those who have lost jobs in the county’s second town to 400. The news comes on the back of the closure of Fermanagh Creameries and Adria.

    The redundancies will add to the grim total of job losses in Fermanagh over the 1,000 mark.

    In Lisnaskea yesterday, the news brought concerns for the employees and fears about the knock-on effect to local retail and service industries.

    Mr. Barney Gilligan, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said: “My views would reflect not only the Chamber but the whole community. The news, though not unexpected, represents a very serious blow to the economy of Lisnaskea, but particularly to the workers involved. The Chamber was always fearful that the company plans were for transfer of production to the low wages economies resulting in Coats Viyella not being able to compete with itself”.

    “The effect on the economy of the town will be very significant. This is the third factory to close in the town in three years, resulting in the total loss of almost 400 jobs in Lisnaskea. We have gone from full employment to a very small manufacturing output in a short time. I fear there will be job losses in the retail and service sectors as a result of these closures.

    “It is ironic that on the day the factory closes, the Minister for Social Development, Mr. Maurice Morrow was visiting the town in an effort to regenerate areas of dereliction,” he added.

    Local Fermanagh District Councillor Brian McCaffrey was among the first to respond to yesterday’s bad news. His thoughts were with the employees.

    “My sympathies are with the workforce, which has shown such commitment and loyalty over many years. It’s obviously a major loss to the economy of Lisnaskea and the county, although the textile industry seems to have developed a trend for relocating in cheap labour markets. In reality it shows how little value is placed on the loyalty of the workforce,” said the Sinn Fein councillor.

    Looking to the future Mr. McCaffrey said it was important to redouble efforts to create jobs and help the flagging economy. He said some people were calling for inward investment but he pointed out that the reality of inward investment was that the jobs it created lasted on average just seven years.

    “Whereas many people in those jobs have made substantially longer commitments in terms, for instance, of mortgages,” he stated.

    “I think we have to look to the indigenous industry which at least has the commitment to overcome difficulties and not be attracted by cheap labour elsewhere,” added Mr. McCaffrey.

    A statement from the PR company for Coats Viyella released yesterday said: “During recent weeks we have entered the process of consultation meetings with Union Officials and representatives concerning the future viability of the Lisnaskea site. Alternative options have been examined but conclusive analysis has shown no evidence to suggest that the fundamental issues can be resolved.

    “As such we have today communicated to the employees the proposed closure of the site. Consultation will continue next week”.

    It is understood that a series of meetings have been held over the last three weeks involving workers’ representatives, full-time union officials, senior management and members of the Coats Viyella Board to discuss options for the future of the factory. It is believed that options for the factory which were to be considered included reinvestment, changing production volumes and changing working times.

    Environment Minsiter, Mr. Sam Foster said the news was “devastating” to the Lisnaskea area. He said he had impresed on Sir Reg Empey, his ministerial colleague, the vital importance of attracting jobs and more investment to Fermanagh. “It is clear that we must all redouble our efforts to help to attract and sustain investment in the county,” he said.

    Chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Councillor Geraldine Cassidy, commented: “While understanding that there has been a significant migration of customers to overseas manufacturers, the closure of Sir Richard Arkwright factory really is a devastating blow to what is already a depressed economy in Fermanagh and in particular the south east of the county”.

    She has already been in contact with the Training and Employment Agency and the IDB and has been assured that every effort will be made to facilitate the workforce wherever possible, either with redeployment or re-training. “I feel for those who will be losing their jobs and I can assure them that the Council will do everything within its powers to help in any way possible,” she added.