PROTESTERS were seen outside DS Smith in Launceston this week, as they seek to make their feelings known about the potential closure of the site.

In April, packaging and paper production company DS Smith confirmed proposals to close its Link Road site.

The organisation is one of the UK’s leading corrugated packaging companies and has long invested in the North Cornwall town. The site processes 28,000 tonnes of paper each year and employs hundreds of local people.

In 2019, the company celebrated 50 years of production within the town, however, the organisation says this history could soon come to an end in order to ‘improve efficiencies’ as it undertakes a consultation about the potential closure of the site.

A spokesperson for DS Smith told the Post: “DS Smith – an International Paper company – is committed to providing best-in-class quality and service to our customers. To improve efficiencies across our business and to ensure we respond to the evolving needs of our customers in what are tough trading conditions for the industry, we have undertaken a review of our UK Packaging operations.

“As a result of this review, we can confirm a proposal has been made to close a site within our network. A consultation process with employees is ongoing, during which DS Smith (and International Paper) will not comment further.”

However, this week residents took to the streets to protest the closure. On Thursday, June 11, families could be seen holding signs imploring the business to stay open and save local jobs.

Haley Sanders, the partner of a DS Smith employee, has been at the heart of much of the efforts to save the site.

Commenting on the peaceful demonstration, she told the Post:Our aim was to show our support to the workers in the factory and their families. This will also affect future generations with jobs within the town.

“I feel very strongly about this not only because this is affecting my family but knowing what it has put us through and knowing hundreds of other families are in the same position.”

As well as organising the protest, Hayley is also the founder of a petition hoping to demonstrate the local support for their cause.

“Our petition has reached over 700 signatures now,” she said, “and we were shown support by lots of beeping horns while we took our stand outside the factory.”

One backer of the petition said: “I saw the devastating effects that happened when Wansborough Paper Mill closed in Watchet. This is people's lives that suffer if this factory closes. This business is worth saving, keep it British.”

During the protest, the group could be seen holding signs with messages such as ‘ please don’t take my daddy’s job’ and ‘save our futures’.

Hayley says that the knock on affect of the closure is far larger than current employees losing their jobs.

She said: “I think the impact on the town could be big, losing such a big employer in a small town is devastating.”