A PEACEFUL protest is being organised in an effort to fight against the potential closure of one of Launceston’s biggest employers.

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

DS Smith 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, residents are not rolling over following the news, instead, locals are doing their bit to make their feelings known.

Following the creation of a petition calling for the organisation to remain open, which has received more than 500 signatures showing their support, there are now plans for a protest outside the site.

Haley Sanders, the founder of the petition, is calling people to join in ‘a peaceful and friendly demonstration to show support for keeping DS Smith Launceston open and protecting the livelihoods of local workers and their families.’

Speaking to the Post, Haley explained she chose to start the petition because she has been deeply saddened by the potential closure and the effect this will have on many local people.

“The reasoning behind creating the petition was to be able to show how much support and the impact DS Smith has within the community,” she explained. “DS Smith have been running within Launceston for almost 60 years, they provide over 160 jobs within the community, they also use other local businesses within Launceston that the closure could also impact.

“Behind every job is a family that the workers are trying hard to support, especially in the current climate we are in. This could cause devastating impacts on families.”

Now there are hopes that a protest serves as ‘an opportunity for residents, employees, friends, and supporters to come together and send a positive message about the importance of maintaining jobs and industry in our area.’

The page advertising the event calls for people to bring their ‘friends, family, and neighbours. Together, we can show how much DS Smith means to Launceston and the surrounding community,’ telling locals their ‘your voice matters.’

The peaceful protest is planned for Thursday, June 11 at 10.45am.