WASDELL Packaging is moving from its site in Stonehouse to a new £2.2 million centre in Swindon, taking with it more than 150 jobs.

The company, which packages farming and pharmaceutical products, has been based in the Upper Mills Estate for decades but needs to expand and diversify.

James Wasdell, commercial director, said: "Our initial plan had been to keep Stonehouse as a satellite facility but we have come to the conclusion that it is no longer viable and will cease operations there within six months.

"We have offered every member of staff the opportunity to come with us to Swindon but appreciate that, for some, travelling in excess of 30 miles each day could be problematic.

"Some have regrettably decided to opt for redundancy but they still have time to change their minds and some already have.

"It is our hope that they will come."

Mr Wasdell told the SNJ that he has been working closely with Gloucestershire First to help employees find new jobs.

However, some of the workforce are far from happy.

In an anonymous letter sent to the SNJ, one member of staff wrote: "We have little or no union membership so nothing or no one seems to be on our side and the atmosphere is very bad, as you would expect.

"People are worried sick, some think that they will never work again."

Responding to the letter, Mr Wasdell said: "We appreciate that it will be a significant change for people and it is not a decision that we have taken lightly.

"I have my own emotional attachment to the area after working in Stonehouse for 21 years.

"But we must meet industry and customer expectations and the Stonehouse site is old and dated.

"It would cost a significant amount of money to bring the buildings up to scratch and it would not be worth our while as the set up is inefficient.

"Our new factory in Swindon will be able to house all of our production lines under one roof."

The business was established in Stonehouse 35 years ago by Mr Wasdell’s father.

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