Receive a complimentary email with top stories from our journalists around the globe, called Morning Headlines.
Join our Morning Headlines email list for free.
In the Sandfields estate of Port Talbot, there is a social club that stands alone. Within this club is a bar on one level, featuring two pool tables and glass cases showcasing various sports awards.
At 1pm, a group of middle-aged men at the Seaside Social and Labour Club are engaged in a heated discussion over the fate of Tata’s steelworks plant, all while enjoying pints.
The much-feared declaration regarding the website’s two blast furnaces was anticipated, however, the men are still taken aback and infuriated by the announcement.
, Wales
Anthony Andrews and Gary English were both employed at the Tata steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales.
“It’s industrial vandalism – nothing else,” says Anthony English, 57, who is on sick leave from spraying steel casts for so-called virgin steel at the UK’s largest steelworks plant.
“Tata has been anticipating this opportunity for a long time. Their priorities do not include our community or the well-being of the environment. This is solely driven by financial gain.”
He states: “We have all devoted a lot of effort to that factory, and now we are being discarded.”
The residential community was constructed from 1947 to 1954 with the purpose of housing workers employed at the factory. Prior to being taken over by the government in 1967, it was managed by the Steel Company of Wales.
The residential area of Sandfields in Port Talbot was constructed starting in 1947 to accommodate employees of the steelworks factory.
.
The Seaside Social and Labour Club is the only social club still standing in this region.
The rundown property is currently among the most underprivileged in the United Kingdom, experiencing high levels of unemployment due to a decreasing number of employees at the steel mill.
Currently, approximately 4,000 individuals are employed at that location and it appears that everyone in the vicinity is acquainted with at least one person, whether it be a friend or family member, who is employed at the facility.
The announcement of 2,800 job cuts, with 2,500 to occur within the next 18 months, is heartbreaking for the local community.
Tata has reported that the plant is experiencing a daily loss of £1m. In light of government-supported proposals to implement electric arc furnaces that utilize scrap steel at the location, management has determined that it is best to shut down operations at this time.
Tata has declared the closure of two blast furnaces at its Port Talbot location, resulting in the elimination of 2,800 positions.
At the social club again – the sole remaining of three that were established in the region during the 1960s – Gary English shares that he was employed at one of the blast furnaces for a span of nine years.
The 49-year-old argues that the concern about the environment is a diversion tactic. They believe that the recent announcement was made hastily and does not allow enough time for individuals to secure new employment. They emphasize that 18 months is a short period of time.
“Port Talbot is currently a deserted town and unfortunately, the situation is expected to deteriorate further.”
While watching the news on TV at The Red Dragon pub, Tata employee Alan Evans learned about the announcement around the corner.
Alan Evans, an employee of Tata, learned about the company’s announcement through the news.
The crane operator, who is 67 years old, intends to retire in the coming year. However, he has concerns for his younger coworkers and the community.
He stated, “The town has always relied on the steelworks – what will happen now? People will depart and the town will endure, I simply cannot envision a future for it.”
Despite facing economic difficulties, the town maintains its charm, with its prominent steelworks dominating the skyline.
Located in the southern region of Wales, this town is situated among rugged hills and the deep blue waters of Swansea Bay. One notable attraction in this town is the delightful Talbot Memorial Park, which can be accessed through a stone archway from the main road.
The Talbot Memorial Park, with its bandstand and war memorial, is a charming element of the town.
.
A new community garden has been established near the entrance of Taibach, located in the shadow of the steelworks.
A painting on the side of a garage in a Port Talbot community, situated near the town’s steelworks. It has replaced a previous Banksy artwork that has been relocated to England.
The friendly working-class neighborhood is dotted with social clubs, community spaces housed in former churches, and cafes, making it easy to find a place to gather.
Additionally, a developing community of street artists has emerged in the Taibach area, likely inspired by a work created by Banksy during the Covid outbreak. Sadly, the Banksy artwork was removed and relocated to England, causing frustration among residents.
However, there are indications of decline. The streets are in disrepair, storefronts are covered with boards, and individuals openly express concerns about a shortage of employment opportunities in the area.
Tony Evans, owner of ABC Tyres in Taibach, has noticed a decline in business prior to the upcoming Friday announcement. He shared, “We used to have many Tata employees come to us for puncture repairs and worn-out tyres, but we have seen a significant decrease in their patronage over the past few months.”
“Individuals are feeling fearful and hesitant to allocate funds.”
According to Helen Thomas, who owns Baguettes To Go, 40% of her customers are somehow related to the steelworks plant.
Helen Thomas is the proprietor of Baguettes To Go, located in Taibach. She approximates that 40% of her business comes from Tata workers and contractors who visit for their midday meal.
She drew parallels between the town’s prosperity and that of Merthyr Tydfil, where the final opencast coal mine closed down in the previous year.
She expressed concern that we could end up like one of the abandoned towns in the valley.
At the family-owned Ron Evans (Pies) Ltd shop, selling homemade pasties made on site for £1.50, manager Chris Howells is already planning for the drop in customers.
Additionally, he mentions that 40% of his shop’s business is from the steelworks factory. He stated, “A customer regularly stops by to purchase a box of pies to bring back with them each day.”
Chris Howells, the manager of Ron Evans (Pies) Ltd, is already making plans for the company’s operations with a limited number of employees at the steelworks.
Mr. Purcell is currently seeking to increase deliveries in order to compensate for the decrease in sales within the local area.
He stated that there have been previous cuts, but this one is significant. The impact it will have is not to be underestimated, as it may cause the skilled workforce to seek employment elsewhere.
Darren Purcell is concerned that the closure of the steelworks will result in a lack of employment opportunities for those who leave. However, he believes that shutting down the blast furnaces will help address problems related to dust.
However, resident Darren Purcell has pointed out one positive aspect of the situation. Despite being against the job cuts at the plant, the 56-year-old acknowledges that it does result in less dust being emitted from the site.
He mentioned a thin layer on his conservatory roof and expressed a glimmer of hope that those working at the site may be able to find new employment. However, this process may take time and there is no assurance of success.
“Today has been a challenging day for Port Talbot.”
In an official statement, Tata announced that it will begin the process of statutory consultation in order to restructure and revamp its UK operations.
”
This strategy aims to turn around a period of over ten years of decline and shift from using traditional blast furnaces to establishing a more environmentally-friendly steel industry.
“The transformation would secure most of Tata Steel UK’s existing product capability and maintain the country’s self-sufficiency in steelmaking, while also reducing Tata Steel UK’s CO2 emissions by 5 million tonnes per year and overall UK country emissions by about 1.5 per cent.”
Source: independent.co.uk
