THERE were fears for hundreds of jobs last night after Hoover Candy confirmed that it was looking to move from its factory at Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, to a smaller site.
Executives at Hoover Candy have revealed that they are considering selling off the factory.
The news of the planned relocation is the second blow to hit the 350 workers at the plant after plans to move production of the company's low-cost Purepower vacuums to China were announced earlier this month.
Union leaders have now asked Hoover Candy to come clean over its future plans for the Cambuslang plant.
Last night a Hoover Candy spokesman confirmed that the company was considering a move to the former Clydesmill power station, at nearby
Westburn.
He said: ''We have looked at the Clydesmill site, as well as many others in recent years. The sites we have looked at have been part of a feasibility study for a possible relocation.
''As it stands, our Cambuslang site is simply too big and a smaller site similar to Clydesmill would be more appropriate.''
News of the planned move has further unsettled staff at the plant, who are still reeling at the news of the transfer of vital work to China.
Eddie McAvoy, convener of the Amicus union at Hoover Candy, said: ''At the minute we are hearing rumour after rumour about what is happening to Hoover in Cambuslang.
''We really need the company to tell us about their plans in the next few weeks, so that we can establish what is rumour and what is fact.
''At present everything is very unsettled, and workers are extremely worried about the security of their jobs. If relocation is part of the company's plans we can only hope they are willing to stay in the Cambuslang area.''
Two weeks ago Hoover announced production of its Purepower vacuums would be switched from Scotland to China. Chinese workers earn a tenth of what production workers at Cambuslang are paid.
Mr McAvoy added: ''It's widely regarded that the Purepower model is the lifeblood of the plant. It's a real blow that it is being switched abroad. And, coupled with the rumoured relocation, it once again raises the question of Hoover in Scotland remaining viable.''
A worker at Cambuslang, who did not wish to be identified, said: ''We are all desperate to hear what is going to happen to the factory.''
South Lanarkshire Council is in the early stages of a (pounds) 5m project to regenerate the derelict Clydesmill power plant site.
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