Clarks closes Somerset factory leaving 35 jobless

Shoe retailer Clarks has confirmed the closure of its robot-assisted shoe factory in Street, Somerset, leaving 35 employees without a job.

In January the retailer announced a proposal to cease production and close its Morelight manufacturing facility, and added that “despite [its] best efforts”, the levels of production and cost targets it hoped for “could not be reached in the short to medium term”.

There were 49 people employed at the facility before its closure, and Clarks has said 10 employees have been able to take up a new role within its business.

A spokesperson said: “Regrettably the remaining 35 employees will be leaving us. They leave with our thanks and best wishes for the future. We have a strong duty of care to all our employees and have been supporting them through this process, offering outplacement support and identifying alternative roles at Clarks.”