It is very sad – if predictable – to hear that the iconic Hovis mill will be closing.

I feel very sorry indeed for the 70-odd people about to lose their jobs, some of whom have long years of service and have never worked anywhere else.

My own family have a long, proud record of service with Rank Hovis and my late father was presented with a certificate by Lord Rank acknowledging 50 years' loyal service to the company.

My daughter left the company in recent times after 30 years' unblemished service and predicted this outcome at the time of her departure.

The Gore Group, an American-based investment company, took a controlling interest in Rank a few years back, promising big investment and modernisation of the Southampton facility.

Quite predictably, none of this ever happened and one bad decision was quickly followed by another. People with a lifetime of expertise in the milling industry were dispensed with and key decisions were made by people with no knowledge or expertise in the industry.

The results are now plain for all to see. The Gore Group proudly proclaims the expertise of their chief executive with a number of international companies. However, it should be noted that he hasn't stayed anywhere too long, which tells its own story.

This is a classic case of an investment company getting involved with something of which they have no knowledge, with the sole intention of trying to make a fast buck.

As usual, it is the employees who ultimately pay the price

Terry Butler

West End