HONDA FACTORY CLOSURE INSIGHT
AS THE DUST SETTLES
Honda will permanently close its car factory in Swindon next month. What will become of the thousands of people who work there and in its supply chain, asks John Evans
PHOTOGRAPHY LUC LACEY
What happens to a town and its people when a major employer leaves it? Many have faced this question and now, with the closure of Honda’s car factory in July, it’s Swindon’s turn.
Located to the south-east of the Wiltshire town, built on the old South Marston airfield, it opened in 1985. It was a major moment in Swindon’s history. At the time, I lived and worked 10 miles away, in Cirencester. Some of my friends got jobs there and were cock-a-hoop at the prospect of securing wellpaid jobs and getting on a career ladder. Assuming they stayed, some of them will be approaching retirement age now. Sadly, for younger employees just starting out, the plant’s closure is a body blow. Few firms in Swindon offer working conditions, career progression or salaries as good as Honda’s.
Beyond the security fences of the factory are the people and businesses who support it. Major component suppliers to small roadside cafes: they will all be affected by the closure. What will their future be? I went to Swindon to find out.