Novartis plans to close UK site; over 350 jobs at risk

Novartis has revealed that it may be closing its UK site in Horsham, West Sussex, putting 371 jobs and 170 local contractors at risk. Plus, the company announced it was proposing to withdraw marketing and sales support for diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the UK, putting another 71 jobs at risk in Frimley, Surrey.

The Swiss pharma company announced these plans as part of its global strategy programme to create three major research and development hubs in Boston in the USA, Basel in Switzerland and Shanghai in China.

"This shocking announcement from Novartis is a most regrettable decision and one which will negatively impact on Horsham's local economy.

"We greatly sympathise with the tragic loss of jobs that this creates at the Novartis site and are determined that the council will do everything it can to assist Novartis and its employees at this difficult time.

"The council understands that the decision to close the Horsham site is a consequence of the company's strategic review of its international operations rather than a reflection of local circumstances. However, decisions such as this highlight how unpredictable future employment has become, particularly for international companies making remote decisions based on global demand, without regard to the effect on local employment or local economies."

Roger Paterson, (Con, Pulborough and Coldwaltham) Horsham District Council's cabinet member for the Local Economy.

At the moment, Novartis is only initiating consultation on proposals to close the Horsham site and all job roles will be subject to an employee consultation process and final UK board approval.