Bosses at Barnard Castle’s biggest employer have sought to reassure staff following recent redundancies.
Over the past year, 200 roles at the GSK factory on Harmire Road became redundant following the sale of the pharmaceutical company’s antibiotics manufacturing section in 2021. Part of the affected section was based in Barnard Castle and operations wound down over the course of 2025.
Although it is believed that around 15 per cent of affected staff were able to move to new roles at GSK, the changes prompted fears that the factory, Teesdale’s largest single employer with about 1,000 workers in total, might face an uncertain future.
“This is a terrible blow for Teesdale and the wider area,” said Barnard Castle’s county councillor, Chris Foote-Wood. “It has been well known for some time that GSK were planning to reduce staff, but to lose perhaps 170 jobs is far worse than anyone imagined.
“Glaxo/GSK has been a major employer for us ever since the plant was created at the end of the Second World War to manufacture the new ‘wonder drug’ penicillin.
“Generations of locals have worked here, many for all their working lives.”
However, GSK insists that it remains committed to Barnard Castle, highlighting £220 million of recent investment.
“Barnard Castle remains an important part of our UK manufacturing network and is increasingly manufacturing some of our newest, most innovative medicines,” said a GSK spokesperson.
“In 2024, we were pleased to announce a new investment of up to £128 million which will expand the manufacturing of GSK’s next-generation speciality medicines at the site.
“This builds on a previous £92 million investment and means we have invested more than £200 million in Barnard Castle over the last few years, helping to secure its long-term future and underpinning our commitment to cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing in the UK.”
Local MP Sam Rushworth told the Mercury: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the changes at GSK, following the end of antibiotic production at the Barnard Castle site.
“As a major local employer, GSK plays a vital role in our community and economy, and I have been – and will remain – in close contact with the company.
“It’s essential that the impact on jobs and the local workforce is carefully managed.
“I am reassured by GSK’s recent investment and their commitment to Barnard Castle as a key part of their future, to continue to deliver real benefits for local people.”
Among the contemporary drugs produced in Barnard Castle, Apretude, an injection to reduce the risk of contracting HIV, was approved by UK drug regulator NICE last Friday.
Staff affected by the job losses were promised “comprehensive support” from GSK in September 2024. This included retraining to help people find new jobs or start their own businesses.
Unite the union declined to comment.
