Derry factory to shut with loss of 277 jobs

Clothing firm Desmonds, is to close its last manufacturing plant in the North with the loss of nearly 300 jobs

Clothing firm Desmonds, is to close its last manufacturing plant in the North with the loss of nearly 300 jobs. The company blamed "significant competitive pressures" for its decision.

The closure of the factory at Newbuildings, near Derry city will lead to the loss of 277 jobs.

Desmonds, the largest privately owned company in the North has been gradually relocating its operations overseas in recent years due to rising costs at home. "Pressures on margins, coupled with increased insurance, energy and social costs combine to pose immense challenges to Northern Ireland manufacturing," a company statement said.

In July, Desmonds closed its factory in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, closed with the loss of 115 jobs. That closure followed the shutting down of the firm's plants in Omagh, Co Tyrone, and Swatragh, Co Derry, in June.