New hope for Exeter disabled workers

Devon County Council has offered to help a team of people with disabilities to remain in employment.

Earlier this year, Pluss, an organisation that supports people with disabilities in employment, announced plans to close its unit in Exeter.

The factory employed 37 people in the Exeter factory as skilled upholsterers of items such as headboards for beds, seat covers, as well as upholstery in campervans and boats.

The Council, which owns the factory unit at Marsh Barton, has agreed to allow the workers, who have now formed the 'Devon Disability Collective', to have the premises rent-free for the first year.  Previously the unit was rented at £150,000 per year.

And to help inject some cash to their business plan, the Council has also loaned the group £125,000 over five years.

Pluss is supporting the new venture through provision of stock and machinery. They will also continue to offer specialist employment support to people with disabilities across Devon through their Work Choice programme.

The Leader of Devon County Council, Cllr John Hart, said: "I have met with representatives from the Devon Disability Collective.  They have shown me their business plan and demonstrated that they expect to maintain a level of commercial activity to keep their operation running. 

"I was impressed by their enthusiasm and have agreed to support them in their endeavours, with free rental of the premises for the first year and a loan to help them over the next five years.  I wish them well." 

Devon County Councillor Richard Westlake, said: "This is excellent news for the work force and Exeter.  I wish them every success for the future."

Beverley Bambrough, Education and Equalities Director for the Community trade union, with key responsibility for members of the National League of the Blind and Disabled, said: “Our members were devastated when they found out their factory was to close but they were also determined to work collectively to save their jobs.

"Working with our Regional Organiser, Sue Lewis, and our members, we have put together the business plan, sought funding and established the Devon Disability Collective. 

"With support from the Council this is real partnership working in action, which will provide meaningful employment for those furthest from the labour market. 

"We wish the Devon Disability Collective every success in their endeavours to build a successful business.”

Local Community union representative, Steve Gallin, who is now one of the founding directors of the Devon Disability Collective, said: “We’re delighted with this outcome. The support we are receiving from Devon County Council is a vote of confidence in our ability to form a viable enterprise.

"We are looking forward to fulfilling our customers’ orders, growing our business and continuing to provide skilled and sustainable jobs for disabled workers.

"We’d like to thank everybody who has supported us to get to this point – in particular the Cllr John Hart and his council officers, Ben Bradshaw MP, Cllr Richard Westlake, Cllr Rosie Denham and Community.”