Dumfriesshire MSP Elaine Murray said:
“This is devastating news for both the employees at the Langholm and Moffat stores, and the communities themselves. It is now absolutely essential that all support possible is being offered to the local people who are being made redundant. This is the latest in a series of devastating job losses in our region, and it is essential that the Scottish and UK Governments look into the underlying economic difficulties associated with rural areas.”
Chair of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Colin Smyth added:
“The Council’s Employability & Skills team have been in contact with Edinburgh Woollen Mill and the staff affected by the closures, and we’ve been clear that we will continue to provide support for these staff members for as long as is required. Unfortunately, despite the UK government’s claims that the economy is thriving, there are clearly problems in some sectors and these cannot continue to go unaddressed.”
Langholm branch of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill is due to close this Saturday (28th November). The Moffat branch is expected to close in January 2016.
