A HISTORIC Scots clothing firm famous all over the world has announced they will be axing dozens of jobs.
The firm, which is even loved by the Royal family, has been in business for almost 230 years.
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Johnstons of Elgin first opened as a wool mill in Elgin in 1797.
The business has gone on to become a luxury clothes maker.
The mill now produces bespoke cashmere and wool knitwear which are sold all over the world.
Johnstons has six outlets across the UK and Ireland.
They have stores in Elgin, Hawick, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Kildare and London.
Their products can be found in hundreds of shops across Europe, America and Asia.
The firm was even granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to the Duke of Rothesay in 2013 for their Estate Tweed.
Johnstons is also loved by celebs, with Scots Grey’s Anatomy and Trainspotting star Kevin McKidd regularly shopping there.
But now dozens of jobs are set to go at their home plant in Elgin.
Bosses said eight per cent of the 750 jobs at the plant are expected to be lost after a decline in sales.
The business said it expects sales will drop in 2024 despite an increase in 2023.
Johnstons bosses have also said they are lowering their predictions for 2025.
They said this had been sparked by global uncertainty and a change in consumer behaviour.
It has seen the firm announce a ‘restructuring’ of staff in Elgin – which is set to see 60 full-time jobs go.
A spokesperson for Johnstons told Northern Scot: “We now expect sales in 2024 to be lower than last year and have had also to revise downward our future projections for 2025.
“Unfortunately, this means that we will have to consult with our workforce in Elgin to restructure our team in line with current and expected future demand.
“We expect 60 full-time equivalent roles to be affected from a total workforce of around 750 at this location.
“There are no plans to reduce our workforce in our Hawick mill, where volumes have been less impacted.”
‘We will fight tooth and nail’
Union chiefs have vowed to fight any job losses and are set to meet with bosses next week.
Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, said: “We are actively engaging with our members and in discussions with the company to minimise any impact.
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“Unite has made it crystal clear to Johnstons of Elgin that we will fight tooth and nail to avoid any compulsory redundancies.
“We believe other options have to be on the table including voluntary redundancies.”
