THE bosses of a Poole company have refused to confirm or deny if the factory will close next year.

Crown Closures in Lake Road, a manufacturer of bottle tops and food packaging, could be shut down by June 2016, according to a member of the public, after the business first opened in 1939.

A person who said that they were employed by Crown Closures told Daily Echo that staff had been warned that the business will cease on the Poole site by this time next year.

When we put the allegation to the US-based Crown Holdings Inc, who purchased the company in 1996, they refused to confirm or deny whether this was true.

Carol Davis, regional human resources director for the UK and Ireland at Crown Europe, said: “Crown continues to be in consultation with Trade Union representatives and 102 potentially affected employees about the future of the site.

“No final decisions about next steps have been made.”

The company has changed names over the years, after it purchased Metal Tin, and later merged with Carnaud to become CMB Packaging SA, before it was bought out by Crown Holdings Inc eight years ago.

Roger Williams, president of Poole Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said that, if true, while this would be tough for Crown Closure’s employees to hear, the future for business was bright for the town.

He added: “There’s always opportunities for skilled people.

“All isn’t lost and maybe this will give them the chance to re-assess if this is what they want to continue to do.

“Things change and people forget that the business moves fast.

“The downside is that around 102 people who live in the area, may be without a job.

“I doubt whether another company will simply be able to step in and replace the business.

“It’s a shame, but I am sure that there will be opportunities for them in the area if the site closes.”