Tag Archives: Glasgow east

Commonwealth Games to improve Glasgow

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John Mason, MSP for Shettleston, this week outlined the benefits Glasgow can expect to be in receipt of after the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

His announcement followed the news that the stadium and other facilities are being built on-budget and on-time, including the Emmirates Arena containing the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. The creation of these facilities will help to regenerate Glasgow’s east end, it is hoped. 80% of the Commonwealth Games are being funded by the Scottish Government.

After the games, local residents will be able to use the facilities as part of the government project Glasgow Life. 300 homes from the Athletes Village will also be handed over to the city’s housing council in an attempt to alleviate local housing problems.

Commenting on the forthcoming games, Mr Mason said: “The Games represent a unique opportunity for us to showcase our city to the rest of the world and I have every confidence that we will do that well. The 2014 Commonwealth Games will be a real boost to the economy of Glasgow and will provide a lasting legacy for the people of my constituency and across this great city. There have already been jobs for local people in construction and there will be more jobs in the longer term actually operating the facilities.  In addition local residents can obviously use the facilities just as they do other places operated by Glasgow Life.

He went on to say: “It’s an exciting time to live in Glasgow and that excitement will only continue to grow as we approach 2014. Not only are we seeing the upgrade to the Tollcross Leisure Centre but there will be useful new complexes built such as the recently opened Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow Green.”

Freshlink factory to close

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ABP Foods today announced the upcoming closure of its Freshlink sausage factory situated in Glasgow’s east end.

The closure will lead to 145 people being made redundant. It was considered by the company to be a cheaper option to relocated to an existing site than any of the other solutions offered within consultations with Glasgow City Council. The work will now be moved to a factory in Yorkshire.

Shettleston MSP John Mason expressed deep regret that this decision was taken, and announced the focus will now be on supporting the 145 employees to “move into alternative employment.”

He said: “The 145 staff at Freshlink will now be facing an uncertain future, but I welcome the confirmation that the Scottish Government will be putting a PACE team in place to help staff move into alternative employment.

“The company has still not clarified its timescale for closing the plant and this makes it more difficult for staff to find other jobs. This morning a Freshlink employee who has been there 18 years spoke to me and showed me the letter she had received from the Company. It was in very vague terms and for the sake of the staff I would appeal to them to clarify each employee’s position.”

Mr Mason went on to criticise Freshlink for showing “little enthusiasm” to keep the factory in Glasgow open. He said: “It is difficult not to conclude that Freshlink had little enthusiasm for finding a solution that would keep jobs in Glasgow, as the company persistently only sent a junior manager to the task force aimed at saving jobs.

“Having been part of that taskforce for the last four months, I know that substantial offers of help and assistance were put forward. In addition senior officials from Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Clyde Gateway and others have invested significant amounts of time in trying to find a solution. It is extremely frustrating that the company chose not to take them up.”

Freshlink confirmed that production will end early next year, but an exact date has not yet been given.

MP for Glasgow East Margaret Curren described the closure as a “real blow”. She said: “This is devastating news for the staff at Freshlink. The loss of these jobs is a  real blow for the East End where we’re already suffering from the effects of this economic crisis

“ABP Foods did not consider the profound effect this decision will have on both its employees and the local area. Freshlink has a dedicated workforce who do not deserve this terrible news.”