COMMUNITY and business leaders voiced fears for the impact of the redundancies on the town which until now has been enjoying the first signs of growth from a regeneration drive. The construction of the multi-million pound marina - born from the demise of the previous historic shipping industry - and the impending redevelopment of the East Quay have led to a mini- boom in the number of new shops and businesses in the town centre and an atmosphere of hope and buoyancy. West Somerset district Cllr Tony Knight, who represents the town and lives there, said: "This news has definitely put a black cloud over Watchet." Cllr Knight said, although redundancies at the mill was something the town had learned to live with over the past few decades, he felt desperately sorry for people already struggling to live in a high price area. "Young people in particular are having to cope with being priced out of the housing market and are now having to face employment worries. "There is just no other heavy industry or alternative jobs for people in this area. "I am very worried about the future but this situation makes it all the more vital that we press on as quickly as we can with the East Quay development in an attempt to try to create other job opportunities." Molly Quint, newly elected chairman of WACET, the town's business and traders' organisation, said the job losses were a bitter blow. "Watchet has definitely been improving in the last couple of years and our organisation has become very strong, positive and forward looking, with more shops and businesses and a generally livelier air overall. "This is very worrying - it is sad and horrendous and it is bound to have an impact but we can only hope that we can survive." Watchet Town Council chairman Cllr Dave Westcott said the redundancies were a huge worry, both for the mill workers and the town. And he said the news emphasised more than ever the need to attract new industry to Watchet. "We have been looking at the possibility of allocating land and creating new units in or very near the town for about the past six months or so and I think this devastating announcement simply highlights how important it is that we move forward as soon as possible. "We need to create real jobs because the awful truth for those people made redundant is that they cannot just walk down the road and find another one." West Somerset's MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he was shocked and disappointed at the job losses and would be seeking help from the Department of Trade and Industry and also hoping to meet union representatives. "This comes as a tremendous blow to Watchet," said Mr Liddell-Grainger. "The paper mill has been the town's major employer for a number of years and, having already lost work opportunities at the harbour, Watchet will feel the pinch. "However, I am determined to do everything in my power to attract employment to Watchet to try and fill the gap that will inevitably be left by this massive loss of jobs."
