Anger At Aberdeen Disabled Factory Fears

Aberdeen City Council has been branded “cruel and inept” amid fears that a factory which employs disabled workers will have to close.

Management at Glencraft say the withdrawal of funding means the factory – which employs dozens of people – could shut as early as April.

Glencraft general manager Anthony Pratt told BBC Scotland it was “absolutely appalling” news.

Aberdeen City Council is expected to comment later.

Most of the workers at Glencraft, which is involved in the furniture trade, are blind or disabled.

‘Badly handled’

Mr Pratt said: “I have never seen anything so badly handled, the whole process has been completely inept.

“It’s a very, very cruel thing to have done.

“The present subsidy of around £650,000 is being cut entirely.”

Andy Laing, who is partially sighted and has worked at Glencraft for 25 years, had received a long service award on Wednesday.

He said: “I am devastated at what’s going to happen for myself and another 50-odd workers. We are going to fight.”

Aberdeen South MP Anne Begg said: “I am absolutely horrified to hear that as part of the Aberdeen City Council programme of cuts there are plans to close the Glencraft factory.

“This will leave hard-working disabled people out of a job.”