Victoria Raimes: Firms trying to furnish staff with a future

ONE is a thriving enterprise now expanding into new markets; the other is on the brink of closure after almost 218 years. Both are staffed by a devoted workforce of disabled employees who produce finely-crafted furniture and who would otherwise struggle to gain meaningful employment. So why is Glencraft in Aberdeen now such an apparent success when BlindCraft in Edinburgh is - barring an 11th-hour rescue - set to close?

Campaigners still fighting to keep the Craigmillar factory open point to the intervention of First Minister Alex Salmond when Glencraft was on its knees - and question why he has not become nearly as involved in the fight to save the Capital's similar venture.

The remaining BlindCraft workers in Edinburgh stood by this week as the champagne flutes clinked at the relaunched Glencraft's one-year celebration. So successful has the venture proved since being taken on by private company PSN last year, it is reported to be on the brink of hitting the 1 million revenue mark.

It is a situation on the opposite end of the scale to late 2009. In November, 50 Glencraft employees lost their jobs when the company went into liquidation with debts of more than 3m.

Alex Salmond stepped in and a rescue package was put together by the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council and the oil company Production Services Network (PSN).

On the back of support, it was reopened and 35 of the original staff - everybody who wanted their job back - returned to the ranks. It is thought that the Scottish Government offered a large chunk of funding, and the First Minister has visited Glencraft a number of times.

No such luck yet for BlindCraft. On July 31 the Craigmillar factory will be closed for good in a bid by the council to save 700,000 and following a lull in business due to the recession.

As union reps and workers point out, many of the disabled workers will probably never find further employment. They also complain that, despite sending the First Minister a letter more than a month ago, he has only just replied offering workers the chance to meet with the Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing.

Today is the final chance for businesses to register an interest in taking over the venture.

Fraser Queen, a Community Union branch secretary and worker at BlindCraft, said: "When we heard that Alex Salmond had visited Glencraft for the celebration we were left fuming. It's outrageous."We've made numerous attempts to meet with the First Minister, so we're pretty disgusted."

Although council leaders claim some organisations have shown an interest in taking over the factory, first it has to officially close, to prevent the successor from being tied to the current pay and conditions.

Mr Queen said: "We've been passed from pillar to post and I think it is fair to say that the only viable option for BlindCraft now would be to re-open and accept there will be different pay and conditions.

"I believe that we will now have to close, but if we reopen it will have to be as a joinery place or something similar as bedding has become too competitive.

"We (BlindCraft and Glencraft] could and should have worked together, but I think there was a 'king of the castle' attitude within the management. Competing isn't the way forward."

The city's economic development leader Councillor Tom Buchanan said: "It was an extremely difficult decision to close BlindCraft but we are still very committed to seeing how others might be able to help us develop options for the future. We have invited private, public and voluntary organisations, as well as community groups, to work with us on reshaping the service."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government pointed out that there would be a meeting next week. He said: "While decisions on the future of BlindCraft are the responsibility of the council, the Scottish Government has been in contact with interested parties to explore options for securing a positive outcome for those affected."

Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack, who met with Mr Ewing yesterday to support the campaign, said she was hopeful the First Minister would step in. She said: "After all, to them, it is not just a business. Their jobs give them a dignity and a lifeline."

Company breakdown

Glencraft (Social Enterprise) Ltd

Formed: In 2010 but the Glencraft name dates back to 1843.

Employs: 30 blind and disabled people from the Aberdeen area. - around 70 per cent of its employees.

Makes: High-quality mattresses and beds.

BlindCraft

Formed: Originally called the Royal Blind Asylum in 1793

Employs: 53 mainly blind and disabled staff - 18 have already accepted voluntary redundancy.

Makes: Quality hand-crafted beds and mattresses in Craigmillar.