MONMOUTH has this week been hit by a series of gloomy announcements, some involving future job losses.

Wayne McClennon, Head of Retail at Hawkshead, told The Beacon: "Seven staff at Monnow Street's Hawkeshead store will lose their jobs when the branch closes on January 17th".

Head of Retail, Wayne McClennon, said: "We're really upset. We didn't particularly want to pull out of Monmouth - we've got an established business here and pro rata this is a very profitable store - but we have been given notice by Burtons who own the store.

"Obviously, we've got to try to find people alternative employment."

Hawkeshead, now part of the Regatta Group, were doing very well throughout South Wales, he added, and there were plans to open new stores in the South West next year.

The downturn in the automotive and engineering sector has had a knock on effect on the packaging business at D S Smith Tri-Wall on the Wonastow Road, resulting in a dramatic drop off in business.

Gareth Jenkins, Managing Director of D S Smith Tri-Wall, said no one had been made redundant.

"But there are going to be changes to the Monmouth business, and we're hoping the changes will be through voluntary redundancies," he said.

"This is a good business and there are plans for the business to go forward into new market sectors, which should really ensure that the long term future of the business is strong," said Mr Jenkins.

Meanwhile, a reader contacted us to ask: "I wonder if the Beacon would consider running a story about the problems facing our local comprehensive school?

"The school has had to shut its sixth form common room because it has not money to repair or upgrade it.  The students at the school are very worried about this and now have nowhere to sit and socialise during the school day.

 "The story is topical as you can see if you follow the link to the news article on the Times Educational Supplement website".

 In a statement on Tuesday, Head Teacher, Carol Anderson, said: "The school is gravely concerned about the condition of a number of school buildings and the facilities we have for learning, as well as social space.  We have considerable constraints on our budget. 

"The local authority is aware of our anxieties and we continue to work in partnership to alleviate them.  We are doing all we can to ensure that our senior students have the facilities they need for independent study as well as an area in which to relax.