A COUNCIL job creation chairman has slammed the shoe firm Lambert Howarth for being out of step with fashion trends.

The Burnley footwear company stunned workers this month by announcing it was ceasing all production, making up to 200 jobs redundant.

The firm said the decision had been forced on it by a rapid decline in demand for its court stiletto shoes as customers turned to other styles.

But Burnley Council's economic committee chairman, Marcus Johnstone, hit out at the firm's lack of foresight.

"I am amazed that a company in the fashion business is producing something which is not fashionable," he told the committee.

"I find it unbelievable that they cannot switch production to something which someone will buy,"

"If the car industry took the same attitude, there would not be a car industry."

Members heard the council's economic development unit had offered to help find new jobs for workers who will be made redundant over the next three months as the giant plant switches to becoming a warehouse for imported shoes.

Councillors were told that because of the buoyant local economy, there was optimism that sacked workers would soon find new employment.

Most of the 330 workers made redundant following the collapse of Prestige cookware at the start of the year had found other jobs.

But councillor Johnstone added: "Both groups of workers deserved more from the management than what they have got."

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