'Scunthorpe could become a disaster town'
BBCSteelworks employees are still digesting the news of the launch of a consultation process that could result in the closure of two blast furnaces.
British Steel said this week that the blast furnaces in Scunthorpe were "no longer financially sustainable" due to market conditions, tariffs and environmental costs.
The closure of the Chinese-owned company could put up to 2,700 jobs at risk out of a workforce of 3,500.
Harry Finnigan, 30, who has worked at the steelworks for 10 years, said it had been "difficult trying to process the news" that he might lose his job.
"We got an email yesterday about the consultation, but we had already seen a news notification about how this was coming into fruition before any of us had been informed," he said.
"It is disappointing to find out like that [and] doesn't make it any easier to digest.
"I could lose my job, livelihood and everything I've known for the last 10 years. I only got married six months ago and now have to think about the future. It's not ideal."
Mr Finnigan said there had been rumours the company would receive investment from the government, which had given people hope, and to hear the news of the consultation came as a "massive shock".
He added: "It's still difficult to digest but we will just keep going, doing our bit and seeing what happens."
The BBC previously reported that British Steel was expecting a £1bn injection from the government to keep the business going, but it was offered £500m and rejected it.
British Steel chief executive Zengwei An said the launch of the consultation process was "a necessary decision given the hugely challenging circumstances the business faces".
The consultation will look at the options of ending operations by early June, in September, or at a later date.
Sandra Donnelly, from alterations shop Sew Easie, said the closure would affect every business and could lead to Scunthorpe becoming a "disaster town".
She said: "People will be out of work – where are they going to get their jobs from?
"There's just not the jobs here to jump into.
"The steelworks are our main way of employing people. We've got nothing left – we've lost everything."
Patricia Fox, owner of Vanity Fayre hairdressers, is also worried.
She said: "We are a small business who cut people's hair who work there. If people won't be able to afford to come to us, everyone is going to suffer."
Scunthorpe United FC chairwoman Michelle Harness described the news as "devastating".
She said: "I'm sure the town will rally round the steelworkers.
"We have a large percentage of fans who are steelworkers and families of steelworkers, and there is a lot of history in the town.
"The town has to now find future jobs as it will affect so many other businesses – there will be a ripple effect from this closure."
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