THE future of a Skipton landmark looks uncertain as Kingsley Cards investigates plans to move to new premises.

Directors of the company, based in the 19th century Belle Vue and Dewhurst Mills, have announced this week that they are looking relocate the greeting card factory to a purpose-built site.

Managing director Alan Carter said access to the present site on Broughton Road was difficult and modernisation plans would be best achieved in a purpose built environment. Discussions have already taken place with Craven District Council.

Mr Carter told the Herald yesterday (Thursday) that he would seek to secure the jobs of 300 employees.

"Discussions for the future developments are very much at an early stage and I am confident that we will find a new site within Skipton or the Craven area," said Mr Carter.

"Our employees have been dedicated to the company for many years and we wish to return that loyalty in a new setting, one that will give the company maximum opportunities in the future."

However unions claim one option the company is looking at is relocation to Bradford. Donald Graham, organiser for the Graphical, Paper and Media Union, said: "We know they have had talks with Bradford Council about places in Bradford. We believe they have looked at one site on Canal Road specifically."

He claimed that the directors had been reluctant to talk to the union officials and workers felt threatened about the security of their jobs. "Nobody knows exactly what is going on which is one of the major problems."

He suspected that the company had already been involved in negotiations to sell the 19th century mill to residential developers: "It is not confirmed but we believe it is a done deal. It is creating an air of insecurity in the factory," said the union official.

The plans came to light whilst Mr Graham was collecting signatures on a petition against the alleged inequality of sickness pay and holidays within the company.

The petition was handed over by Labour Party spokesman Michael Dugher at a peaceful protest this week.

He said: "Could I express my concern for the effect on individual workers and the local economy should this major employer move away from Skipton."

No planning applications for the grade two listed Dewhurst and Belle Vue Mills have been lodged with Craven District Council. But discussions have taken place as to alternative uses for the site which includes residential development.

Dewhurst Mill dominated the town for more than a century when the textile industry was Skipton's major employer.

Opened in 1828 by John Dewhurst, it was the first manufacturer in the town to introduce power looms. It was burnt down in 1831 and rebuilt six months later.

The firm was visited by rioters protesting against new technology in 1842 but survived to develop throughout the coming years.

Dewhurst's diversified into "Sylko" a combination of the words cotton and silk to describe cotton threads treated to produce a sheen. It was the largest single employer for many years and the mill has continued to be known by the family name.