THE closure of Slough’s Dulux factory in Wexham Road could come as soon as next year, a union has indicated.

Dulux owners AkzoNobel announced the factory would be closing as far back as 2011, with services moving to a new facility in Ashington, Northumberland.

However, staff are still being kept in the dark about a final closure date for the factory, with no-one from AkzoNobel willing to confirm a deadline.

But Mick Polleck, regional industrial officer for the chemical and pharmaceutical sector for trade union Unite, said: “We think, but this is only an estimate, that it will be some time next year.

“People do want to know when the factory will be closing, but AkzoNobel have been good and have kept them up to date every step of the way.

“We represent about 250 members within Dulux and they are all being kept very well informed.”

A spokesperson for AkzoNobel UK said: “The closure of our manufacturing operations in Slough and our investment in a new site in Northumberland was announced in 2011.

“We have been working closely with our colleagues since that time to ensure they have the support they need during the transition of production to the new site and will continue to do so.”