More staff laid off at troubled paper mill Bridgewater

Feb 9 2010 By Alistair Houghton

MORE employees at a troubled Ellesmere Port paper mill have been laid off while administrators try to sell the business.

The administrators from Ernst & Young, who were called in to the Bridgewater Paper Company last week, last night announced they had stopped production at the site.

Another 163 employees at the site, which employs more than 300 people, have now been placed “on temporary lay-off” while Ernst & Young hunts for a buyer. Last week 108 people were temporarily laid off last week.

Canadian parent company AbitibiBowater placed Bridgewater into administration last Tuesday.

Tom Jack, joint administrator, said: “This is an extremely unfortunate situation for all employees affected.  However, we are extremely grateful for the support and commitment the employees have given during this time of uncertainty.

“We are holding discussions with a number of potential interested parties and are continuing to fulfil customer orders from stock while the sale of the business process continues.”