UK footwear group Clarks has confirmed the closure of its facility in Street, Somerset – a move that will result in 35 job losses.
Clarks announced a proposal to cease production and close its Morelight manufacturing facility in January, less than two years after setting up the site to restart its UK footwear production.
The manufacturing unit was expected to create up to 80 jobs and was tipped to produce up to 300,000 pairs of desert boots a year – around half of the annual capacity of desert boots produced for the company globally. At the time, Clarks said the facility would mark the first time it has manufactured in the UK for over a decade, since closing its factory in 2006.
It had also planned to roll out up to ten similar production units at other locations across the US, Europe and Asia over the next three-to-five years to produce not only boots, but a range of women’s, children’s and men’s footwear.
Now, the footwear group said despite its best efforts, the levels of production and cost targets it hoped for could not be reached in the short to medium term.
“Following a period of consultation, the proposal has been accepted and the factory will close,” Clarks added.
“We have a strong duty of care to all our employees and have been supporting them through this process, offering outplacement support and identifying alternative roles at Clarks. We’re pleased that the employees have taken up a new role within our business, but regrettably, the remaining 35 employees will be leaving us. They leave with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”
Last week, Clarks named Giorgio Presca as chief executive officer following the resignation of Mike Shearwood last year.
Presca, who will join the company next month, will be responsible for all operational, financial and commercial aspects of the business and will lead the Clarks strategy with the executive committee.
