Vauxhall has officially announced the closure of its plant in Luton, Bedfordshire, a decision that is poised to affect approximately 1,100 jobs. This factory has been a significant part of the town's fabric for over 120 years, and its shutdown marks a significant transition for both the company and the local community. The move follows the decision by Vauxhall's parent company, Stellantis, to relocate the production of electric vans from Luton to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, as part of its strategy to concentrate commercial vehicle manufacturing in one location.
Production ceased officially today with the last Vauxhall Vivaro vans rolling off the assembly line at around 12:18 PM. The decision to transfer production and ultimately close the Luton plant was first announced in November, prompting a wave of concern regarding the future of the employees and the broader economic implications for the town.
Stellantis has stated that it plans to invest approximately £50 million to enhance the Ellesmere Port facility, which will now serve as the UK hub for commercial vehicle manufacturing. The company has expressed its commitment to its workforce, stating, "Our employees always remain our priority, and we continue to act responsibly towards our colleagues in Luton," according to a spokesperson.
Hazel Simmons, the Labour leader of Luton Council, expressed her frustration regarding the closure. Speaking to The Sun, she noted, "Vauxhall has been an integral part of Luton’s heritage for decades. We did what we could to try and stop this closure going ahead and I feel angry that this decision will massively impact the lives of so many people." Simmons underlined the wider implications of the factory's closure, emphasising that the job losses would not only affect workers at the plant but also the local economy, including the supply chain associated with Vauxhall.
Employee Steve Brown, who has dedicated over 34 years to the company, also shared his feelings about the closure, referring to it as a "sad, sad day." Despite his long tenure, Brown expressed resilience, stating, "I've done 34 years, but life goes on, we'll go on." He mentioned the camaraderie among workers, noting that the atmosphere at the plant had remained positive even during these challenging times.
Vauxhall's history in Luton dates back to 1903, with the factory opening two years later. The facility previously survived a potentially devastating closure in 2000 when General Motors announced the shut down of car manufacturing in the same location, resulting in the loss of 1,900 jobs.
In a separate development, Luton Borough Council had previously expressed interest in acquiring the site of the factory, although efforts in this direction have reportedly not been successful.
The announcement of Vauxhall's closure coincides with another wave of store closures across the UK high street, affecting notable retailers including WHSmith, Poundland, and Sports Direct. This highlights ongoing challenges faced by traditional retail in the current economic climate, with WHSmith agreeing to a major sale of its high street division, and reports indicating potential closures for some of Poundland's 825 stores as it explores business restructuring options.
Source: Noah Wire Services