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U-turn as TVR quits UK factory

British sports car maker TVR has reversed its decision to stay in the UK, pulling the plug on its Blackpool factory and axing 250 jobs.

Last week’s news came just months after TVR said it had agreed to build a new factory in Blackpool, thereby safeguarding jobs.
In April TVR announced plans to leave its base on Bristol Avenue in Bispham. It axed 71 workers, throwing the future of the remaining 250 staff into doubt.
The company, which was bought in 2004 by Russian Nikolai Smolenski, said last week it was planning to outsource all production.
Agreements are being finalised for the 2007 run of its Tuscan, Tuscan Convertible and Sagaris models to be produced in Europe while the engines are due to be produced in the UK.
Smolenski said: “We need to secure the future of the company and move it forward. I am afraid we see no other way to do so.”
Reacting to the TVR’s U-turn, the Transport and General Workers Union said the news was bitterly disappointing after hopes had been raised.
“This is a bitter blow for Blackpool and an iconic British sports car,” said Dave McCall, T&G North West regional secretary.
“It is particularly hard to take in after everyone’s hopes had been raised just a few months ago when workers who had been laid off were taken back.”

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