Politicians are calling for an urgent meeting with the owners of a tissue company after they announced the closure of a Gwynedd factory.

In a statement this week, Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd announced the proposed closure of their manufacturing facility in Penygroes.

The company said: “As part of a strategic review of business operations, given the rapidly changing landscape and market conditions, the directors of Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd regret to announce the proposed closure of the Penygroes manufacturing facility.

“This proposal affects 94 employees. As part of the review, various alternative options were considered, but the contraction in market demand as a consequence of Covid-19, and the subsequent significant fall in current and forecasted sales volumes has led to this very difficult decision being made.

“The company is fully committed to following a consultation process with all employees and trade union representatives and will commence a collective consultation process which will last for a minimum of 30 days.

“Production will be absorbed, and customers will be serviced from other Northwood sites in Telford, Oldham, Birmingham, Lancaster and Bromsgrove."

MP for Arfon, Hywel Williams and MS Siân Gwenllian have called for an urgent meeting with both the Welsh Government and the managing director of Northwood Hygiene.

In a letter to Northwood Hygiene MD Peter Foy, the Plaid Cymru politicians say they are dismayed at plans to close the converting factory despite ’unprecedented order levels’ and staff working long hours to satisfy increased demand.

They have also written to Welsh Government minister for the economy Ken Skates to ascertain what practical steps he will take to support the local workforce in this increasingly uncertain situation.

Mr Williams Ms Gwenllian said: "We were extremely dismayed to hear the news that the long-established manufacturing facility at Penygroes is set to close, resulting in the loss of ninety-four local jobs.

"The company has rooted itself in the local community for many years so this news is a huge economic blow at a time when we can ill-afford to lose jobs.

"New employment will be hard to find and over ninety local families will now be left to struggle on reduced incomes.

"The company website says that they are a ’thriving’ business, so news of the closure has come as a real shock to the area.

"We also know that the factory was very busy at the beginning of the lock-down with ’unprecedented order levels’ and staff at the Penygroes site working long hours to satisfy demand.

"We therefore find it surprising that such a far-reaching and highly emotive decision has been taken at a time of such uncertainty and when the economic picture remains unclear.

"It is incumbent on Northwood Hygiene to explain the reasons behind this decision. Every effort must be made to protect the skilled workforce in Penygroes, some of whom have given years of service to the company."