Aeronautics firm reveals factory may have to shut
FIRTH ROAD SITE AT RISK OF CLOSURE
A SPANISH aeronautics manufacturer has confirmed that a Lincolnshire site is at risk of closure. The ITP Aero plant, in Firth Road in Lincoln, could close in 2025 following a reduction in demand for the components being manufactured.
It is understood that more than 50 jobs will be affected. A spokesperson for the Zamudio-based company, which produces engines and gas turbines, said in a statement: “ITP Aero has decided, following much deliberation, that there is a risk that it will have to close down the ITP Engines UK Lincoln site in 2025.”
He added: “This proposal is a result of a reduction in demand for the components manufactured at ITP Aero’s Lincoln plant, much of them being legacy products.”
A period of collective consultation is now under way and the company says no decisions will be made until the relevant process has been completed.
Employees will not be at the risk of redundancy until 2025. The spokesperson added that the multinational ITP Aero remains ‘committed’ to the UK.
He said: “Since 2021, ITP Aero’s industrial footprint in the UK has grown, having hired more than 200 people, with expectations to continue growing during 2024.”
He added: “If the proposal to close Lincoln in 2025 goes ahead, this will of course include supporting Lincoln-based employees with potential opportunities across other ITP Aero sites.”
ITP Aero was founded in 1989 as a joint venture by Spanish engineering group SENER and British company Rolls-Royce. It has several plants in the UK, including sites in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire and in Whetstone, Leicestershire.
It employs more than 3,000 people.
A MUM and dad who campaigned to bring an “inclusive and vibrant” skate park to a Lincolnshire village have been awarded £147,000 in funding for the project.
Parents Matt and Debbie Scarborough believe the skate park will be “extremely beneficial” to their local community in Skellingthorpe, after experiencing their son riding his scooter at various other skate parks.
The National Lottery Community Fund confirmed that it awarded Skellingthorpe Parish Council £147,000 in National Lottery funding to install a new skate park.
It said the project “aims to fill a gap in local provision in Skellingthorpe by offering a safe and supportive environment where young people can come together to enjoy urban sport and encourage them to live healthier lives.”
The skate park will be based at Monson playing field in Skellingthorpe alongside the existing play equipment, with some readjusting.
Mr and Mrs Scarborough said they first approached Skellingthorpe Parish Council in early 2023 with the idea, and the funding has exceeded their 50 per cent funding target.
They said: “Our son rides his scooter at skate parks all over and we, as parents, have seen how well used a lot of these facilities are.
“They offer great benefits and physical activity to a wide age range of users, and we felt it would be something extremely beneficial to our local community.
“So, we set up an online petition and Facebook group to gauge interest. “Our son appeared on BBC Radio Lincolnshire twice talking about what a skate park would mean to him and why he wanted one.
“We held a public consultation, engaged with the local schools and gained feedback from our local community.”
They added: “The project is now able to move ahead, and we are due to appoint a skate park company in early December.
“They will then continue with public consultation and meet with a design team of local skaters to create a bespoke design that hits our mission statement. “At Skelly Skate Park our mission is to provide an inclusive and vibrant community space that fosters creativity, athleticism and personal growth through skating, scooting and BMX-riding. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can come together to embrace the joy of urban sport, push their limits and cultivate a sense of belonging.”
Mr and Mrs Scarborough said they will be sharing all the updates on their Facebook page, ‘Skelly Skate Park’, for anyone who wants to follow the progress of the project.
We held a public consultation, engaged with the local schools and gained feedback from our local community.