How many people have found work after major Todmorden company’s redundancies
Around three quarters of workers made redundant when a town’s largest employer largely closed late last year have found new work.
It was a major blow for industry in the upper Calder Valley in Calderdale when global mining technology company Weir Minerals announced it was closing its Todmorden operation.
It is a big loss to the town although news it is retaining some functions there which might also have been lost and that many staff who were made redundant have found other work is providing some comfort for townspeople.
At a meeting of the full Calderdale Council, Coun Jonathan Timbers (Lab), in whose Calder – soon to be renamed Hebden Bridge and Todmorden East – ward Weir’s factory site off Halifax Road is, asked what role the council had played to help staff.
“The announcement of the closure of Weir Chemicals was a major blow to the industry in the ward and to the lives of families in the upper valley.
“What support has Calderdale support service given to staff affected by the closure of Weir Minerals in Todmorden?” he asked.
Coun Timbers wanted to know what support was offered, how many staff members had been affected, how many staff the council had offered support to, what sort of support was offered, what had been the outcomes of the interventions, if people were satisfied with that support, what had been the outcomes of any interventions and what there is left to do.
Cabinet member for Regeneration and Transport, Coun Sarah Courtney, said senior council leaders including its Chief Executive Robin Tuddenham had met with Weir as soon as the company indicated its intention to consult on closing the Todmorden site and had remained “closely engaged.”
She said initial proposals to fully close the Todmorden site and relocate remaining roles to Rochdale was subsequently revised and around a third of the site is being retained by Weir.
This resulted in the number of roles at risk of redundancy reducing from 244 to 193.
The council’s Business, Employment and Skills Team worked with Weir and partners including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the National Careers Service (NCS) and Jobcentre Plus (JCP) to assess the potential impact on Calderdale residents and co-ordinate support, said Coun Courtney (Lab), who is also a Calder ward councillor.
Support to staff at risk included in-house training and employability support which had been given by Weir, and a six-week programme of events delivered by the DWP, NCS, Citizens Advice and the Money Advice Service in late 2025.
A Jobcentre Plus jobs fair was also held in late 2025, attended by 16 employers.
Information was also available from the council’s Employment Hub, DWP and NCS on how individuals could self-refer for additional support.
Of the 193 staff at risk, 156 were made redundant in late 2025, including 111 Calderdale residents, said Coun Courtney.
“Prior to the jobs fair, around 40 per cent had already secured future employment.
“Following the event, a further 30 per cent secured roles with employers who attended.
Some employees also explored early retirement options, she said.
“Very low numbers of staff subsequently made Jobcentre claims, indicating that the early and co-ordinated support provided by the council, alongside strong collaboration with national partners, had a positive impact in helping affected employees transition into new opportunities,” said Coun Courtney.