Stellantis is leaving the English city of Luton. It normally builds vans here. But now the 1,000 employees there are to be laid off.
Stellantis is closing its van factory in Luton, England. This means 1,000 jobs will be made redundant. Workers at the Vauxhall factory, which has been in operation since 1905, are disappointed and worried about their future.
The closure, announced in November last year, will take effect in April.
Stellantis, which owns Vauxhall, has another factory in Ellesmere Port, where there are 600 vacancies. The company is offering the affected employees jobs there and help with relocation. But there is not room for everyone.
Several employees have told the BBC that they are hesitant to move to Cheshire, where Ellesmere Port is located, and are also concerned about whether they will be able to find another job in their local area.
Dave Short, a 60-year-old forklift operator, is one of those who is uncertain about the future.
– I find it scary to look for a new job at my age. Luckily I've taken a truck driving course to drive heavier trucks, but a lot of it is done online now. We've done everything they asked us to do and they still continue to run us over.
Sandra Geary, who has worked at the factory for 10 years and is the fourth generation in her family to do so, is also saddened by the closure.
She says she's not moving because of her family, but that many of her colleagues are considering it.
"It's heartbreaking. Many here have valuable skills that will be needed at the Ellesmere Port factory. I'm trying to be optimistic about finding a new job, even though I didn't think I would at the age of 31," she says.
Adrian Tooth, 65, has worked for Vauxhall for 44 years and is now very worried about the future. He does not see a move to Cheshire as an option.
– Who will hire me? I'll be 66 later this year and I won't have a job from April. It's not worth moving at my age.
"I'm not surprised, but it's still a betrayal. They've set up a factory in Turkey and are paying them half the salary," he says.
Stellantis has stated that they will initiate individual discussions with employees and offer them support to relocate to Ellesmere Port.
Including financial assistance, moving assistance and activities such as job fairs and help with your CV.
"Our employees are our priority and we will act responsibly towards them in Luton," a company spokesman said.
The closure of the Luton factory is a severe blow to employees and their families, with many now facing an uncertain future and worried about whether they will be able to find new jobs.
The car company has promised to help the affected employees, but it is unknown how many will take up the offer to move to Ellesmere Port.
Regardless, it is a difficult time for the employees at the Vauxhall factory, who must now find a new way to provide for themselves and their families.
