Jobs blow as factory shuts up

Jobs blow as factory shuts up

30 July 2014

DOWN District has suffered a major jobs blow.

Crossgar poultry firm Lissara Farm Ltd has confirmed the Kilmore Road business will close tomorrow with the loss of 36 jobs.

Company owners say the closure decision has been taken with “regret” and that following a period of consultation “the future business of Lissara Farm Ltd. is no longer viable.”

In a short statement, the Kilmore Road company explained the business is no longer viable “due to the scale required to operate a poultry processing business, combined with a change in market conditions and declining sales.”

Confirming the family-owned business will close tomorrow resulting in 36 compulsory redundancies, Lissara Farm said the company’s obligations to its employees and customers will be honoured. The Crossgar firm has also thanked staff for their service and commitment.

Mr. Paul Bell, a former director of Crossgar Foodservice, purchased the Crossgar Poultry division of the business in September last year and renamed it Lissara Farms Ltd. Ten months on, the business is closing.

No one from Lissara Farms — where a number of staff are understood to have been on short time for several months — was available for comment. However, South Down MP Margaret Ritchie hopes agreement to allow the firm to remain in business can be reached.

The MP said she was “saddened” to learn about the closure announcement and hopes that it may be possible for Invest NI to intervene to save the local poultry firm.

“Crossgar has been characterised for a long period of time with the poultry industry. It is important that the Departments of Employment and Learning and Enterprise, Trade and Investment provide every support and assistance to the Crossgar firm and its employees at this difficult and challenging time,” she said.

Miss Ritchie added: “I would hope the owner and management would be able, through assistance and support from Invest NI, be able to re-establish this factory again at some stage as Crossgar poultry products are well respected within the wider food processing sector.”

Rowallane councillors Terry Andrews and Billy Walker have also expressed disappointment at the closure announcement. They say their thoughts are with the staff who have lost their jobs.

Councillor Andrews said the closure of the Crossgar firm “marked the end of an era” describing the business as one of the area’s major employers.

“I am very sad to see this firm close and pay tribute to Mr. Paul Bell for providing and sustaining employment in the Crossgar area over many years. My thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs at what remains a particularly difficult time for the local economy. I hope staff who have been made redundant can find new jobs quickly,” he added.

Councillor Walker said he was “very disappointed” to learn of the job losses and also paid tribute to the employment Mr. Bell has provided for many, many people over the years.

“This man purchased Crossgar Poultry when Crossgar Foodservice consolidated aspects of its business with parent company Pallas Foods, allowing employees to transfer to Lissara Farms Ltd. securing their jobs at that time. It’s very sad that this business is now to close,” he continued.

Councillor Walker added: “I sincerely hope staff who have unfortunately lost their jobs can secure alternative employment to continue providing for their families at what remains a difficult time for the economy.”