BUSINESS will carry on as usual at the GSK plant in Ulverston as it begins the long search to not only secure a buyer for its plant but to secure the future prosperity of the town.
GSK officials have today confirmed an active search is under way to find a buyer willing to take on the North Lonsdale Road plant. In July the company announced a strategic review which pulled the plug on a long-touted £350m investment at the site.
If successful it is hoped most if not all of the 325 jobs at the site can be saved. This has been set out as a key aim of the task force chaired by Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock which brought together company representatives, unions and members of the local authority.
Mr Woodcock said: "We've had a really constructive first meeting of the task force. I'm really pleased that we've got the committed representation of so many of key groups and individuals making sure whatever the future is for the GSK site it is the very best it can possibly be."
Phil Wilson, site director at GSK, gave an update on what had taken place at the plant during the three months since the task force first met.
He said: "We're at a stage of where we are carrying out a strategic review. When we made the announcement in July there was a likelihood that there would be divestment in the cephalosporins development. "
Mr Wilson said the review was looking at the entire site at a "granular" level so corporate heads at GSK would be able to give any potential investors a comprehensive picture on what they would be buying into.
Until any sale was agreed upon Mr Wilson said the business would continue to operate as normal. New staff would be taken on when necessary to fill vacancies and the long-running apprenticeship scheme would continue to take on new applicants.
Mr Wilson said for the foreseeable future between seven and 10 new apprentices would be taken on every year.
He said: "We've just recruited seven new apprentices. They've just gotten in to full time jobs from September."
The Mail has previously published information that South Lakeland District Council spent tens of thousands of pounds in man hours bidding to attract GSK investment to Ulverston. However, the leader of the council, councillor Giles Archibald, said they were not looking to recoup money from the company.
He said: "I would use the term legacy project. We are looking at projects around leisure and health and that engagement is friendly and positive. There is no question of demanding money."
The need for continued investment in local infrastructure and development was also made clear by Mr Woodcock who said strong transport links would be vital for any prospective investor.
Unite the union who represent workers on site said they would be in close contact with site bosses to ensure their members were not left in the dark during any period of transition.
Gail Bundy, regional officer for Unite, said: "We will work with our reps on site to explain where there is a gap in information."
For continued coverage and analysis of all that was discussed at this summit read more coverage on our website tomorrow.
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