Kimberly-Clark pledges not to leave empty factory when it quits Barton
KIMBERLY-Clark bosses have promised not to leave an empty building behind when the firm quits Barton-Upon-Humber.
The nappy-making plant on Falkland Way will cease production by March 31, with the loss of more than 500 jobs.
But the company said it was now looking to attract an equally large organisation to take over the site.
And if the 20-year-old facility is not sold, it will be demolished and the site returned to its previous greenfield use.
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Graham Tongue, site manager, said efforts were now being made to sell the factory.
He said: "In November, we went out to brokers.
"The brokers were put in place in December and they have already contacted a lot of key customers they know, who are looking for this type of facility.
"We will go into full marketing in the next two weeks.
"Our intent is to sell it and to do that will be a benefit to the area and some of our employees as well."
Mr Tongue said the company would not let the site become an eyesore.
He said: "If it doesn't sell, Kimberly-Clark will not walk away from that site, leaving a site with an empty building.
"We are committed to returning that site to the condition it was in when we took it over.
"So if we had to, Kimberly-Clark would put it back to greenfield.
"That would be a loss for the area and future employment for the wider area.
"We will not leave the town with something that is going to be rotting on the side of Barton."
Proposals to close the factory were first announced in October and the move has since been confirmed.
The plant employs 352 staff members, along with 100 contractors and around 120 temporary workers.
Speaking at the latest meeting of Barton Town Council, Mr Tongue said around 30 affected employees had already found new jobs.
A jobs fair is to be held at the factory on Tuesday, January 22 in a bid to help more people secure future employment.
Town councillor Ann Clark raised concerns about security around the lake at the site when the company leaves.
She said: "If it is going to be left as a lake after you have gone, who is going to maintain it as regards anyone who decides to go in there swimming?"
Mr Tongue said security measures would remain in place if the building is sold.
He said: "Anyone who takes on the site takes on the lake and the safety needs.
"They will also take on the security fencing we have got at the moment."
If the site is not sold, the lake is likely to be removed.
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