DESPERATE efforts to save 90 jobs at a Port factory have ended in vain as bosses forge ahead with plans to close the site.

Council leader Stephen McCabe said it was a ‘sad day’ for the town after company chiefs at DB Apparel, the owner of the Playtex facility in Devol, revealed they are now offering redundancy packages to staff.

Seven weeks ago, the Tele revealed that company chiefs were considering a switch to France as part of a shake-up of European operations, amid concern the site could shut by the end of the year.

Now it seems that the worst fears of employees have been realised.

Councillor McCabe said: “It would appear from a letter I received today from the management of DB Apparel that the company intends to proceed with the closure of its site at Playtex Park, Port Glasgow.

“This is deeply regrettable as Inverclyde can ill-afford job losses on this scale.

“I have asked officers to contact the company to confirm that this is indeed the case.

“Given the long association that Playtex has had with our area, this is a sad day for Port Glasgow and Inverclyde.

“My thoughts are with the employees and their families who will be directly affected by this closure.” DB Apparel chiefs have said they will assist the workforce with their ‘transition to new employment’.

Until now there had been a wall of silence, with bosses shunning offers of support from both Inverclyde Council and the Scottish Government.

But this week, Calum Grant-Wood, the firm’s country manager, finally responded to Mr McCabe’s concerns, indicating that the facility will be closing.

In a letter, he states: ‘Since the proposed closure was announced, consultations have taken place with a number of employee representatives at the site.

‘Following those consultations it was agreed to move on to detailed discussions regarding severance terms.

‘‘These are now underway.

‘The welfare of our employees at Port Glasgow continues to be of the highest priority and assistance will be provided by the company to assist the transition to new employment.’ He also revealed that he was due to meet with the government’s business agency Scottish Enterprise to discuss the situation.

Mr Grant-Wood stated: ‘In addition I will be meeting with Scottish Enterprise/PACE to discuss any additional support they can offer.’ He told Mr McCabe: ‘I am aware of the close community connections and heritage associated with the Port Glasgow operation, and I will keep you informed as our discussions progress.’ DESPERATE efforts to save 90 jobs at a Port factory have ended in vain as bosses forge ahead with plans to close the site.

Council leader Stephen McCabe said it was a ‘sad day’ for the town after company chiefs at DB Apparel, the owner of the Playtex facility in Devol, revealed they are now offering redundancy packages to staff.

Seven weeks ago, the Tele revealed that company chiefs were considering a switch to France as part of a shake-up of European operations, amid concern the site could shut by the end of the year.

Now it seems that the worst fears of employees have been realised.

Councillor McCabe said: “It would appear from a letter I received today from the management of DB Apparel that the company intends to proceed with the closure of its site at Playtex Park, Port Glasgow.

“This is deeply regrettable as Inverclyde can ill-afford job losses on this scale.

“I have asked officers to contact the company to confirm that this is indeed the case.

“Given the long association that Playtex has had with our area, this is a sad day for Port Glasgow and Inverclyde.

“My thoughts are with the employees and their families who will be directly affected by this closure.” DB Apparel chiefs have said they will assist the workforce with their ‘transition to new employment’.

Until now there had been a wall of silence, with bosses shunning offers of support from both Inverclyde Council and the Scottish Government.

But this week, Calum Grant-Wood, the firm’s country manager, finally responded to Mr McCabe’s concerns, indicating that the facility will be closing.

In a letter, he states: ‘Since the proposed closure was announced, consultations have taken place with a number of employee representatives at the site.

‘Following those consultations it was agreed to move on to detailed discussions regarding severance terms.

‘‘These are now underway.

‘The welfare of our employees at Port Glasgow continues to be of the highest priority and assistance will be provided by the company to assist the transition to new employment.’ He also revealed that he was due to meet with the government’s business agency Scottish Enterprise to discuss the situation.

Mr Grant-Wood stated: ‘In addition I will be meeting with Scottish Enterprise/PACE to discuss any additional support they can offer.’ He told Mr McCabe: ‘I am aware of the close community connections and heritage associated with the Port Glasgow operation, and I will keep you informed as our discussions progress.’