Birthplace of Jet Engine Reels From Job Cuts, Covid and Brexit
Barnoldswick is northern England is a microcosm of the crisis confronting Britain.
Under the glowering skies of the Pennine Hills in northern England, the usually unassuming town of Barnoldswick sits draped in a colorful display of red and white bunting. But this is no festival. The banners on street corners and in store windows are emblazoned with an image of a jet engine and entreaties to join the “Battle for Barnoldswick.”
The scores of posters reflect concern about the future of the biggest local employer. A Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc engine plant’s survival is in doubt as the aerospace company slashes output and moves jobs to Singapore in response to a travel slump triggered by the coronavirus outbreak. Unions are balloting for strike action with the deadline on Friday.