Vauxhall workers tell of surprise at closure plans

Workers at Vauxhall's factory in Luton have told of their surprise at how quickly they could lose their jobs.

It came after parent company Stellantis announced the closure of its van-making plant and subsequent relocation to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.

One employee of 34 years told the BBC many of his 1,100 colleagues felt utter resignation, after being informed of the news on Tuesday.

The decision followed Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares warning the site's future was in doubt earlier this year.

Vauxhall first opened a factory on Kimpton Road, Luton, in 1905, having moved car production from south London.

Stellantis said its decision on Tuesday was partly driven by rules imposed to speed up the transition to electric vehicles in the UK.

It added hundreds of jobs would be created at Ellesmere Port and workers who wanted to transfer from Luton would be assisted.

Steven Garrett, who has worked at the Luton plant for 36 years, said: "Most people realise there's been something in the pipeline for a while.

"But the thing that surprised me is the speed it's all going to happen.

"Rather than be given a year, 18 months, it's all going to be knocked on the head [in spring] next year - it's a shame."

Another employee called Andy, who did not give his surname, said he turned up at work at 13:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Upon arrival, his team was taken to a meeting, where a letter was read about the imminent closure.

"I feel sorry for the young people," said Andy, who has been at the site for 34 years.

"When I was young it was a job for life... youngsters don't have that chance now."

Referencing Vauxhall's sign on Kimpton Road, he added: "When I see that sign there's pride, but there's now going to be sadness because it looks like it's going."

Khalil Rehman joined the factory when he was 24 years old and worked there for a quarter of a century.

He said the plant was particularly good for Luton's Asian community, who saw it as the place where "everybody wanted to work".

"It's shocking news to hear, very sad for the town," he added.

Robert Cato, who retired from Vauxhall in 2001, said he was not bitter about the closure.

The 79-year-old explained: "There's a lot of people who don't like Luton, but Vauxhall gave an awful lot of people a very good living here."

Speaking to the BBC, the Labour leader of Luton Borough Council, Hazel Simmons, said she was trying to secure a meeting with Stellantis.

She added it was impossible to imagine Luton without a Vauxhall presence.

"It's never easy [for employees] to get told something like this at any time, but to be told a couple weeks before Christmas seems a double whammy to me," she added.

The decision to close the Luton factory is subject to consultation.

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