A PRINTING works is to close in October with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

The jobs bombshell was dropped on shocked staff at Mitre Printing, Nelson, by local managers.

The owner of the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate firm, Gala Leisure, said the decision to close Mitre followed a review of its printing needs.

Nottingham-based Gala's personnel director Malcolm Robson said: "We've had a review of our printing requirements, currently and in the longer term, and we believe we can more effectively meet those requirements elsewhere.

"We've put a lot of money into Mitre but it's not produced the return it should have done. We believe our efforts could be better utilised elsewhere in helping to develop the core business."

That business is running 130 bingo clubs across the country. Gala, which in turn is owned by brewery giant Bass, is currently re-developing what was the Ritzy nightclub in the centre of Burnley into a bingo hall.

Mr Robson said everything would be done to get new jobs for the 120 staff at Mitre.

"We very much regret the impact that this decision will have on our staff at Mitre," he added.

"Every effort is being made to find them alternative employment within the group. "We have set up counselling for the staff and a Job Club to put people back into other parts of the industry. We're opening a bingo club in Burnley shortly. We might be able to redeploy some people into some of the jobs. There may be opportunities in other parts of the country."

Mr Robson said staff would be seen individually by managers and counsellors to discuss their situation.

The closure is another blow to Pendle's employment prospects. In February Barnoldswick textile firm Albert Hartley announced it was shutting part of its operation with the loss of 144 jobs. Earlier this month 26 jobs went at Carrington Viyella in Barrowford as the textile company stopped weaving at the once thriving mill.

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