The global owners of Williamson-Dickie, the company that makes Dickies Workwear, announced to staff on Monday this week that it is proposing to discontinue and wind up its EMEA site in Midsomer Norton. The devastating piece of news means that all roles at the local site are at risk of redundancy as a consequence.

Originally called Clares, the business was founded in 1900 in Wells, Somerset, to provide the very large and thriving agricultural industry with hardware and work clothing. In the 1980s, the business was acquired by Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing, based in Texas, bringing the Dickies global brand to the business before its acquisition by VF Corporation in 2017. The Head Office and Distribution Centre is located in Midsomer Norton, employing many local people.

In a statement released on Monday, the company said: “VF is today announcing a proposal to discontinue and wind up its EMEA Dickies Workwear business. This might affect employees based in the Williamson-Dickie EMEA HQ at Midsomer Norton. Sadly, the proposal means that all roles at that site are at risk of redundancy, so this will now be the subject of consultation with employees.

“All affected employees have been given time to process this news and are not expected to work as normal today.

“We will do everything we can to fully support our colleagues through the consultation period and beyond, and will treat them fairly and with respect.

“We appreciate that Dickies Workwear is a significant employer in Midsomer Norton and the decision to put forward this proposal was not taken lightly. It follows a thorough review of the Dickies Workwear business in EMEA, which concluded the current business model is not in line with financial performance expectations.

“If the proposals are adopted, we intend to complete the full business closure in the UK by the 31st of March 2021.”

VF Corporation is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies with active and workwear brands including Vans, North Face,

Timberland and Dickies. As the news broke, local people took to social media to express their sadness and sympathy for employees.