‘RIP Coryton’ wreath presented at protest

Coryton workers unveiled a RIP wreath at a protest today against the closure of the refinery. The wreath made by a local florist in the Essex town of Corringham summed […]

Coryton workers unveiled a RIP wreath at a protest today against the closure of the refinery.

The wreath made by a local florist in the Essex town of Corringham summed up the sombre mood.

Labour MEP Richard Howitt, (pictured right), who has helped campaign against the shutdown, joined the protest this morning.

He tweeted: “Colours on wreath are blue for determination and yellow for a future – sums up mood at today’s Coryton protest.”

About 100 workers gathered outside the refinery in Essex at 6AM, later heading into the town centre. They handed leaflets to businesses highlighting the impact of the closure to the wider economy.

A spokesperson for trade union Unite said: “The Coryton refinery provides 20% of the fuel in the country with a part of it going to major airports like Gatwick and Heathrow…Potentially £100 million could be taken out of the national economy.”

He said suggestions have been made about changing the refinery into a storage facility rather than shutting it down completely.

Swiss owner, Petroplus, put the refinery into administration in February but its administrators, Pricewaterhouse Coopers were unable to find a buyer for the site.

 

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