Villagers and workers have welcomed news that around 150 jobs are to be created at Ellison Holdings in Glusburn.

The three-storey factory which dominates the village has been taken over by American company TransTechnology Corporation, which is closing Anderton International in Bingley.

The 250-strong workforce at Anderton's is to be made redundant and will be invited to apply for jobs at Glusburn.

Today Ellison Holdings' managing director Simon Ellison revealed around £3 million is to be invested in reorganisation and relocation work, much of which would go to local contractors.

He said a new warehouse would probably be built on the site to accommodate Anderton's raw materials and finished goods, with a new dispatch area.

Mr Ellison said the takeover was a "wonderful'' opportunity for the company and local area, adding that it was hoped to extend its market which could require further expansion.

He added: "We'd like to bring as many people from Anderton's as we can but if any positions are still available we'd be happy for them to be filled by Glusburn people.

"And we would expect as the business develops there will be further jobs available and if we can recruit from Glusburn we'd prefer to.''

The company buses employees into Glusburn from Bradford, with pick-up points throughout the Aire Valley, a service that would also be offered to workers moving from Anderton's.

Workers gathered outside the Glusburn factory yesterday had mixed feelings about the take-over.

"It's good news in one way because it secures this factory, but it could still mean some future redundancies if they are over-staffed,'' said one.

Another said: "The feeling in the factory is that it's good news because there are going to be more jobs. But I sympathise with the people in Bingley - I've experienced redundancy.''

Ellison Holdings moved from Harden about three years ago into the building which was previously occupied by Hayfield Textiles.

David Blackburn, who runs the paper shop opposite the factory, said: "It will give a boost to the village.

"When Ellisons came here there was some concern, but the company has proved to be very good.

"There shouldn't be a big impact with the extra traffic because the main road is already extremely busy. We just won't notice the difference."

His neighbour Edwina Metcalfe, who runs the village sub-post office, hoped that some of the jobs would be available to Glusburn residents.

Lorraine Stevenson, of Sunny Bank Villas, Glusburn, who runs the Kiddies Corner clothing shop, said there was traffic congestion when workers left the factory, but welcomed the investment in the village.

"I hope the new company is as good as Ellisons. The firm has helped the village in many ways, including supporting our gala by providing a vehicle and financial support," she said.

A spokesman for the South Craven Community Action group said she hoped the company would continue to support the organisation.

Mr Ellison said the company would continue working in the community supporting such things as the gala, South Craven Community Action and Glusburn Millennium Committee.

'Don't let us become a dormitory town'

Calls were made today to stop Bingley becoming a "dormitory town'' following the closure of one of the local area's biggest employers.

The Chamber of Trade says shutting Anderton International, with the resulting loss of 250 jobs, will have a massive impact on Bingley's economy. And the area's MP, a local councillor and the Better Bingley Campaign say it is crucial that another employment use - preferably involving manufacturing - is found for the site at the Britannia Works, in Ferncliffe Road, after it is sold off.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed yesterday that Anderton's American parent company, TransTechnology Corporation, had taken over rival engineering firm Ellison Holdings PLC at Glusburn. All 250 employees at the Bingley site will be made redundant. Around half live in the town with most of the rest living within a few miles. They will be invited to apply for the 150 new positions at Glusburn.

Chris Dearnley, treasurer of Bingley Chamber of Trade, said the closure would be a "nail in the coffin" for manufacturing in the town unless the site was taken over by another manufacturer.

He added: "It'll be 100 people in the area without a job and consequently without spending power and that's bound to have an impact on trade in Bingley.''

Philip Smith, chairman of the Better Bingley Campaign, said: "Keeping engineering in the town is important because people trained in those skills find it very difficult to find work elsewhere when somewhere like this closes, and those premises would be ideal for some other form of engineering.

"I'd definitely like to see the town retain some of its mix of businesses but if this site was hived off for housing it would make Bingley even more of a dormitory town.''

Shipley MP Chris Leslie said manufacturing or other industrial use would be preferable but alternative commercial or retail uses were other possibilities for jobs.

"If industry is concerned about easy access to the transport network the site would be ideal because it's going to be so close to the Bingley Relief Road junction.''

Coun Colin Gill (Con, Bingley), a member of the Chamber of Trade, said: "Manufacturing jobs support a whole range of things in the local service sector - everything from newsagents to hairdressers, food outlets and local pubs - and to lose that income coming into the town is a tragedy for local businesses but more importantly for the individuals who might lose jobs.

"Our task now is to investigate ways in which we can attract new jobs into the town and make sure we can find more jobs for the people who'll lose them.''

Daran Brown, managing director of Anderton's, said the company's aim was to get the highest possible value for the site but added that prospective buyers would have to take into consideration the fact that it was in an employment zone and that it was being marketed as a manufacturing opportunity.

The company would be working with the unions to help people find alternative employment through a job club, would provide help with CVs and be flexible with time off with "tens of thousands'' of pounds available for re-training initiatives and counselling.

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