Staff at Belfast carpet plants fear for their jobs

Unions representing 433 workers at Carpets International's two manufacturing plants in the North will meet the company's receiver today to discuss their future.

The two plants, based in Killinchy and Donaghadee, Co Down, have been operating as normal since they were put into receivership along with their Bradford-based parent on Wednesday.

The move followed a prolonged trading slump at Carpets International, which has suffered over the past few years as the popularity of wood and laminate flooring has grown.

Mr Garth Calow, partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Belfast, who has been appointed receiver at the two Co Down operations, said it would be premature to speculate on future employment levels at any of the plants.

The Killinchy facility, which is engaged in spinning, employs 144 staff, with the balance concentrating on carpet manufacture in Donaghadee.

"Our immediate priority is to establish the precise financial and projected trading position of the Northern Ireland operations and assess options for the way forward," Mr Calow said.

Mr John Spellar, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, said the North's inward investment agency, Invest NI, was in touch with the receiver and would work with any new owner for the carpet plants to maximise their employment potential.

He recognised, however, that the North's clothing and textiles industry was facing tough competition from lower-cost economies and said those who might ultimately face redundancy would be helped to find alternative employment.

The SDLP's spokesman on enterprise, trade and investment, Dr Alisdair McDonnell, urged Invest NI to "leave no stone unturned" in its efforts to preserve the two operations as a going concern.