1,000 people back workers in fight to save factory

EMPLOYEES have rallied almost 1,000 supporters to help save their factory from closure.

Staff at medical footwear factory, Langer UK, in Cheadle, have taken a petition to customers in the town's shops and pubs.

The petition calls on planners to support a £1 million eco-factory in the town, which would double the company's workforce and save the existing 50 jobs.

Bosses have earmarked land on Hillside Industrial Estate for the state-of-the-art complex, which would meet their soaring product demand.

If plans are refused they will be forced to seek alternative premises away from Cheadle.

Petition organiser Julie Prince said: "Langer wants to do something good for the town and create new jobs. As employers. they are great and none of us relish the prospect of having to look for alternative work, especially in the current economic climate."

Mrs Prince, who has worked for Langer UK for three years, has collected more than 100 signatures.

Support has also been shown by people signing in shops and the post office, as well as pubs visited by employees at weekends.

Mrs Prince added: "I have not met a soul in Cheadle who does not want this to go ahead for the benefit of all the people who work here and the others who could.

"People have even stopped me in the street asking how they can go about showing their support. This just goes to show the tremendous backing there is locally."

Cheadle councillor Mike Maryon supports the plans.

Mr Maryon said: "In an age when no job is certain we should be doing all we can to support successful companies like Langer. I hope to meet up with the company to discuss the plans and give them as much advice as possible.

"The petition shows just what a level of support there is in the town."

Currently situated in Brookhouse Way, Cheadle, most employees live nearby and can walk or cycle to the factory and do not want to relocate.

The company hopes to transform an old slag heap on Hillside Industrial Estate into a showpiece facility with a range of eco-friendly design features. They plan to use solar panels and wind turbines to harvest energy.

Bosses also hope to filter water used in manufacturing processes for other purposes, such as toilets.

Managing director at Langer, Adrian Bishop, said: "Staff organised the petition without any prompting from management and it is very heartening to see how much working for Langer UK means to them.

"As a company we are bucking the trend by looking to invest a huge sum in Cheadle and create new jobs, thanks to an increased demand for our products.

"But our current premises are holding us back.

"They are cramped and offer no scope for expansion."