MSP and MP called emergency summit late Thursday night
SNP politicians Rona Mackay MSP and Amy Callaghan MP have held an urgent meeting with Harper Collins CEO Charlie Redmayne over the future of their Bishopbriggs site. Following an announcement at East Dunbartonshire Council’s budget meeting on Thursday evening, with Council Officials giving notifying members of Harper Collins not renewing their lease of their site in East Dunbartonshire, the SNP politicians secured an emergency meeting with the publishers for early Friday morning. The publishers, who’s lease expires on their Bishopbriggs facility in 2025, intend to move their operations to a purpose built site in Robroyston. Following representation from the SNP politicians at their early morning meeting, Harper Collins have indicated there is no threat to the current workforce as a result of the move and that all options were explored to remain at the current site. Commenting, Rona Mackay MSP said:
“This news will come as a shock to many across my constituency including myself as the local MSP. As soon as I had heard the news late Thursday night (25/02), both Amy Callaghan and I were able to secure an early morning meeting the next day (26/02) to directly hear from Harper Collins. “At the meeting, I made apparent the direct consequences their move would have both on my constituents and the wider economy of East Dunbartonshire. Whilst I’m glad Amy and I were able to secure guarantees over the future of the workforce at the site as a result of this move, I would continue to implore Harper Collins into an urgent rethink over their decision. “Given this was announced at an East Dunbartonshire Council meeting, there are pressing and urgent questions outstanding on how long elected council leadership figures knew of this move and what steps, like Amy and I have done, are elected council leadership taking to best mitigate this decision. Commenting, Amy Callaghan MP added: “Rona and I could not have been more clear with Harper Collins: we would urge them into a rethink and remain within East Dunbartonshire. “As we heard the news late Thursday night, both Rona and I were quick to act in securing the emergency meeting with the company early Friday morning. I would hope that, given this was announced at an East Dunbartonshire Council meeting, elected council leadership members have done likewise and sought assurances from Harper Collins. “Those assurances included seeking guarantees over the future of the workforce at the site and that the recognised trade union was involved in the process over the depot move. “Whilst the move is set to take place in 2025, this is small consolation for my constituents who wish to see local jobs remain in East Dunbartonshire. Both Rona and I would reiterate the call for Harper Collins to remain at their current Bishopbriggs site in our constituencies. East Dunbartonshire Council SNP Group Leader Gordan Low:
“Harper Collins has been a fixture in Bishopbriggs for decades, and is a huge source of employment for those throughout East Dunbartonshire. Their loss to the area, on the back of a similar decision by Aviva, is devastating news at a time when are seeking to invest in Westerhill and bring economic development to the area.
“It was deeply concerning to hear of this for the first time at East Dunbartonshire Council’s budget meeting, and I would fully expect the council to work with our parliamentarians and the Harper Collins management to secure the future of this site and safeguard our local economy."
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