NEARLY 300 workers at a paper mill face an uncertain future with the news that the business has been put up for sale.

The shock move to dispose of the BPB Paperboard mill in Stand Lane, Radcliffe, has been made by bosses of its Aberdeenshire-based parent company.

But management at the factory - which traded for many years under the Radcliffe Paper Mill banner - are confident the sale will attract interest from prospective buyers.

Mr Ernie Domville, assistant mill manager, said: "BPB Paperboard, the owners of the Radcliffe mill, have announced the mill is to be sold.

"The Radcliffe mill has not recently been involved in core activities, which are the manufacture of building products, and is therefore not seen as a core part of the business."

He added: "For this reason, the mill will be sold along with its associated packaging activities."

Mr Domville is upbeat, however, about the future of the business. "The mill is an excellent facility and has made significant progress over the past couple of years. There is expected to be strong interest from the trade in its acquisition.

"BPB Paperboard will be seeking a new owner in whose business the mill will be more strategically placed and who can develop the business and retain employment.

"In this light, and as part of this process, the mill will be restructured as a stand-alone business," said Mr Domville. Consultation on the proposals and the implications for the employees will begin within the next few weeks.

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