Silentnight has secured its future in Barnoldswick with a million pound investment from Lancashire County Council, creating 140 extra jobs in the town.
Bosses said hundreds of existing jobs have also been secured by the agreement.
The firm’s expansion, which will see it taking on new product ranges, comes after the announcement that Silentnight’s site in Batley would close and production moved to Barnoldswick.
Adrian Fawcett, Chairman of Silentnight Group Limited, said: “I am extremely grateful for the support offered to Silentnight by Lancashire County Council, which has helped us invest in new roles and secure what will be approaching 500 manufacturing-related jobs here in Barnoldswick. The reality is, we couldn’t have afforded the investment to keep the jobs here.”
Among those benefiting from the jobs boost at the bed firm are new apprentices, including 20-year-old Fiona Taylor. She said: “I started with the company through a temping agency back in September but am so happy to have been taken on as an apprentice. I love it here and I love the people I work with. At the moment I am learning to sew and go to college every three weeks. I can see myself staying here for a long time.”
Geoff Driver, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “It’s hugely important to me that the council does everything it can to create and secure jobs in the county and I’m delighted that Silentnight is able to do both of those things with our support.
“This is excellent news for everyone associated with the factory including the workers, their families and the small businesses that benefit from the factory’s presence in the town.
“The manufacturing industry remains vital to the Lancashire economy and will continue to for a long time with big name brands like Silentnight expanding here, even when the economic climate is tough.
“I am sympathetic towards the area that lost jobs but our commitment is to the people of Lancashire. If we hadn’t invested in Silentnight, the situation that could have occurred doesn’t bear thinking about.”