90 job cuts feared from lab closure

ALcontrol Laboratories is moving its water testing facilities from Templeborough to a new state-of-the-art centre in Wakefield.

The company is also planning to transfer the rest of its business to a site in Chester, and its Rotherham headquarters will close early next year.

Today a company spokesman said most of the 280 employees in Rotherham would be transferred to Wakefield and Chester.

But up to 90 people could lose their jobs. Staff have already been told of the proposed move and possible job cuts.

The company spokesman said: “The vast majority of existing staff will transfer to the new facility which is expected to be fully operational from April 2008 at which time the Rotherham Templeborough House site will close.

“We will also be moving the testing of environmental waters to our site at Hawarden, near Chester, during September with this operation expected to close at the end of October this year.

“In total 90 people are at risk of redundancy and work will continue with the staff representatives to find them roles either at Hawarden or at other ALcontrol Laboratories sites.”