The announcement today that two textile mills in the district are to close is yet another blow to Bradford's traditional industrial base. British Mohair Holdings' decision to close its mohair-spinning mill at Keighley and the Canal Road mill of Jarol Ltd, which spins hand-knitting yarn, will throw 186 people out of work.

It is a depressing start to the year for Bradford. But the district has grown used to announcements like these over the years, as the fortunes of the wool-textile industry have declined.

The latest closures are the result of a combination of factors. Fashion has moved against mohair, which is an expensive fibre. Lifestyle changes mean that not as many people knit as used to be the case. These days the hand-knitted jumper is a rarity.

Then there are those two great burdens that British industry has had to carry in recent years: a strong pound which has crippled export efforts, and high interest rates which have affected companies' ability to invest and expand.

At last the interest rates are coming down. Things are moving slightly in industry's direction, but nowhere near fast enough or far enough. However, it is too late for these two mills and their workers.

As one of its bedrock industries shrinks further, Bradford must intensify its efforts to extend its new jobs base in the high-tech industries. We cannot survive on past glories. The success of companies like PACE and Filtronic points the way for a city which built its fortunes in the 19th and early 20th centuries but now needs to look ahead to the 21st.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.