Jaguar Land Rover: Workers and businesses react to announcement
“I’m not happy,” he said. “They’ve already shifted us around. I was under the impression that because we had a new car (to manufacture) everything was plain sailing.
“At Browns Lane we made concessions all the way with Ford when it took over and out-sourced products. We’ve bent over that much for Ford that our backs are hurting.
“There’s animosity between here, Solihull and Halewood (Merseyside), because you’re fighting for your factory.
“All that goes through people’s minds is keeping their job.”
Many local businesses are also worried about their future.
Traders in Hobs Moat, only a stone’s throw from the Solihull Land Rover plant, are growing increasingly concerned.
Dave Lyons, the owner of Yew Tree Butchers, said that the automotive giant’s workforce provides about 70 per cent of his custom and he relies on the business staying in Solihull.
“We have so many people coming in from Land Rover, so if it went it would be a huge loss,” he said.
“I’ve been here for five years and it’s quiet enough with the recession so if it was to close I don’t know what would happen.
“It’s a massive business to have next to us.”
Nearby newsagents Paul’s News opens at 5.30am especially for the workforce and manager Paul Sura said to lose it now would be a massive blow.
“It’s going to have a detrimental effect on our business for sure,” said the manager of 15 years.
“But it will be the whole area that is going to suffer if it closes. This is a working-class area of Solihull and it will be those who are affected.”
Mark Hobbs, who owns Hobbs Hardware & DIY on the shopping parade, said he knew Land Rover’s time was up some time ago.
“As soon as Tata took over them I knew their days were numbered,” he said.
“I predict they will ship all the production over to India in years to come and this looks like the first step at narrowing it down.
“Personally it will affect us because we have workers coming in to get keys cut and for other bits but it will be Solihull that suffers as a whole.”
News that the Lode Lane plant may close has heaped further misery on those already suffering in the recession.
Davinder Breet Singh owns Rowood Drive News and he says JLR closing will affect the whole area.
“Lots of people come into my shop before and after their shifts, so if it closed I would miss out on their trade.
“It looks bad for the future of Land Rover if they are closing down a plant” he said.
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