OVER 80 workers at a Lydney factory were turned away from their jobs on Monday as the business hit the buffers. There are now over 1,200 people on the dole in the Forest. There are just 29 vacancies at the two Job Centre Plus offices.
Unable to obtain a cash bail-out Lydney Containers joined the growing list of failed companies squeezed out by the gathering recession.
Workers had been warned last week that there might be bad news.
On Monday they were met by the administrators and staff from the Department of Work and Pensions who issued forms and advice on what to do next. The bottom line was that over 80 staff joined the dole queue.
A worker told the Review: "It was the worst possible scenario. We had hoped there would be more investment in the company but that did not happen.
"It's all to do with the market and there is no market out there. There is no work in the construction industry and yards are full up to the brim with containers.
"There are few jobs to go to. Another company with a contract is only paying £6.25 an hour. The bad news is that there are not going to be many opportunities of obtaining work locally."
Throughout the area jobs are being trimmed. The Review was told that more people were now chasing fewer vacancies.
The Job Centre Plus offices at Coleford and Cinderford offered 29 vacancies on Tuesday but most were for cleaners or hairstylists. There are over 1,200 people seeking work. A spokesperson said there were more jobs in the 'Travel to Work' area which included Chepstow and Ross while others were advertised by job agencies.
She said: "We can offer advice and assistance on many fronts. But it is true that at the moment there are vey few jobs available locally."
•There was some good news this week as Cooper Security at Mitcheldean announced it had committed to a new 10 year lease on its facility at Vantage Point Business Village. The company says it employs around 100 people.