Thales to close Leicester facility

Thales UK builds flight simulators and various military communications equipment. Over 200 employees risk unemployment as the company plans to close its Leicester factory. The company reportedly said it would attempt to relocate a number of the 230 staff to reduce permanent job losses. Though the process has yet been finalised reports the BBC. A spokesman for Thales stated. The Scudamore Road site will close by mid 2013 and operations will move to Crawley in West Sussex, this due to order drops, the BBC report continues. The spokesman said: "The current business environment is unlike anything we have experienced in recent years and prospects and programmes in our defence sector - both domestic and export - are experiencing significant reductions in volumes and workload." A consultation with unions had begun, he added.