FOLLOWING months of discussions, one of Launceston’s biggest employers has officially announced its closure.

After announcing back in April that it’s Launceston site could be set for closure, packaging and paper production company DS Smith has confirmed that it will be closing the location, resulting in the loss of 165 jobs.

DS Smith is one of the UK’s leaders in innovative corrugated packaging. The North Cornwall town has been fortunate enough to benefit from investment through the years from this big employer. Today, the site processes 28,000 tonnes of paper a year and provides employment for hundreds of local employees.

In 2019, the company celebrated 50 years of production within the town, however, the organisation’s announcement means this history will be coming to an end as part of efforts to ‘improve efficiencies’.

The initial announcement earlier in the year resulted in concern among locals, with many worried about the impact this could have on the town.

Hayley Sanders, the partner of one of the site’s employees said: “DS Smith have been running within Launceston for almost 60 years, they provide over 160 jobs within the local community, they also use other local businesses within Launceston that the closure could also impact.

“Behind every job is a family that the workers are trying hard to support, especially in the current climate we are in. This could cause devastating impacts on families within our community.”

However, despite concern and even local protests, the organisation has gone ahead with the plans, with production set to come to an end in November.

A spokesperson from DS Smith told us: “We can confirm that the consultation with employees and employee representatives at Launceston has concluded and, after careful consideration of counter proposals raised, the business has made the difficult decision to confirm the proposed closure of the site with the loss of 165 jobs. Production at the site will finish in November 2026.”

The company has said that it is committed to supporting its employees during this time, ‘recognising the impact the change will have on them, their families, and the wider community.’

The spokesperson concluded: “We recognise that this decision is disappointing for those impacted. We are fully committed to supporting all our employees throughout this period, recognising the impact the change will have on them, their families, and the wider community.”