AGA Rangemaster foundry closes for good

The historic foundry in Shropshire used to supply the castings for the iconic AGA Rangemaster cookers has shut down its furnaces for good.

The foundry in Coalbrookdale, close to the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, has been supplying castings to AGA for the past 70 years.

The foundry has fallen victim to cutbacks imposed by US-based Middleby Corporation, which acquired AGA Rangemaster in 2015.

The closure, which has resulted in the loss of 35 jobs, has been labelled a ‘big blow’ to the area both culturally and economically.

Cllr Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said he was deeply disappointed with the closure, especially as he had family who had worked at the foundry in the past.

“It is a great shame to see this historic foundry closing its gates for the last time and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has worked there, both past and present,” he said.

“This is a historic site that is symbolic of Coalbrookdale and the Ironbridge Gorge’s great industrial past and I know there will be a lot of emotion.

“The loss of the foundry is a big blow to the borough of Telford and Wrekin and as a council, we will offer every possible support to those who have lost their jobs this close to Christmas.

“It is a great shame that this beacon of industry has not been safeguarded and has had to close.”

He said it was important that the landowner worked quickly to bring the site forward for alternative use as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the council would be seeking assurances from AGA that its other operation in the borough remained viable.

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