Unions have welcomed the news that the Appledore shipyard in North Devon may be re-opening.

Three consortiums are actively seeking to purchase the mothballed shipyard and it is understood a decision will be made imminently with a possibility of shipbuilding returning later this year.

When it is confirmed which consortium has been successful, unions uill engage in negotiations with the yard’s new owners about opportunities for the former workforce to return. When the yard was closed some workers were made redundant, while others were transferred by the previous owners Babcock to its shipyard in Plymouth.

Unite regional secretary for the South West Steve Preddy said: “The latest developments are good news for a strong community and skilled workforce that never gave up the fight for their shipyard.

“With the right support and vision Appledore can and will have a secure long-term future, protecting hundreds of skilled workers while offering proper apprenticeships to coming generations.

“We look forward to working with whichever consortium is ultimately successful to complete the deal and get this yard and community back on its feet.”

GMB national officer and chair of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions Ross Murdoch said: “GMB and sister CSEU trade unions have worked round the clock to make sure this famous shipyard was not consigned to the scrapheap.

“But UK shipbuilding is still on the brink. The Tories must stop their ridiculous plan to build the next wave of Royal Navy support ships overseas and let them be built in UK yards instead.”

Appledore shipbuilder Jake Mclean said: “All the shipyard workers and their families have all been on tenterhooks waiting for something to happen. “This is great news for the whole community, who have had a torrid time of late. We cannot wait to get back to building ships again.”

By Tim Lezard 17th July 2020 – 8:30 am

Unions welcome Appledore lifeline