Zöe Franklin: Reaction to news of planned Alexander Dennis job cuts

News today that Alexander Dennis is to consult on plans to cut 650 jobs, including 200 at their factory in Guildford, will come as a shock to the people of Guildford. The Dennis brand is hugely significant to our town both in terms of employment and also historically.

Founded in 1895, for much of the 20th century Dennis Brothers was Guildford's main employer. Today, its factory on Slyfield Industrial Estate employs hundreds of skilled manufacturing workers and is at the forefront of the green transport revolution.

More significantly, these potential job losses come at a time when so many local people are anxious about what the future holds. For all of the staff at the Guildford site, news of redundancies will be of great concern and I am very worried about the impact it will have on these staff and their families, particularly those who are made redundant after the consultation. We simply cannot afford to lose these local skilled manufacturing jobs.

I'm very keen to speak to Alexander Dennis workers, their families and union representatives in confidence to find out the full story on what's happening and to see if anything can be done to keep these jobs in Guildford. Please get in touch by emailing zoe@guildfordlibdems.org.uk.