15/04/2014 East Midlands Today

That's all from us. On Newsnight on BBC2 in a few moments,

And now the news for the East Midlands.

First tonight, one of the most famous manufacturing names in the

East Midlands is closing down, with the loss of 540 jobs. Imperial

Tobacco says all production at its factory on the edge of Nottingham

will end by 2016. The company is blaming increased taxation and the

growth of the illegal tobacco trade. It brings to an end a

cigarette`making tradition that started with John Player 137 years

ago. Here's John Hess. ?? new line As the morning shift left for home,

the repercussions of today's announcement was only just sinking

in. The workforce has always been very flexible. Giving everything the

company asked for. And now they do this to us. It is disappointing for

people with young families, mortgages. Imperial's Nottingham

factory produces cigarettes mainly for the UK market, with brands such

as JPS, John Player Special, and Lambert and Butler. In a statement,

Imperial said that the closure reflected declining European sales

volumes impacted by tough economic conditions and increasing

regulation. The regulatory environment has become tougher in

recent years. `` more complex. Excessive tobacco duty is not

helpful. It drives people towards the illicit trade. For union

official Andy Littlewood, today's announcement ends a family

tradition. He is a third generation factory worker in Imperial's

Nottingham factory. There are people there in tears. For people it is a

terrible shock that the company has decided to do what they're going to

do. There have always been rumours but the shock today of that

announcement, there are people devastated. The Horizon factory was

purpose`built in the 1970s as part of an industrial regeneration

project. Near its site now, there are plans for a purpose`built

enterprise zone. Nottingham is a resilient city and we're looking to

create jobs. We will have an enterprise zone near where this

organisation moves away from. We want to get the skills to get those

jobs. Whatever the future, 540 jobs are going, discarded just like an

empty cigarette packet. Imperial Tobacco said that the closure of its

Horizon factory in Nottingham and its sister factory in western France

would save ?300 million a year to sustain the future of the business.

I'm joined by Nottingham city councillor Nick McDonald. Has the

Council assessed what the economic impact would be of this decision? I

don't think it suggests a wider malaise in the Nottingham economy.

It is a particular decision to this sector and the company. That is a

lot of jobs so the impact on those individuals will be considerable and

that'll be the focus of our efforts. We heard from a few workers from the

factory, what support them being given? I spoke to the head of UK

affairs at Imperial Tobacco and ask for an urgent meeting. We spoke also

to the Department for Work and Pensions. There is lots that we can

pull together as a City Council and we will make sure that that is done.

Is there any conflict here, because we are concerned about job losses,

but the council has a campaign aimed at stopping people smoking? I don't

think people whose jobs are affected will be thinking in those terms.

They will be thinking about supporting their families. Our

concern is to help them. Thank you. A teenager has been found guilty of

the murder of a Leicester football coach. The jury at Stafford Crown

Court took around a day to convict Hussein Hussein, 19, of Antoin

Akpom's murder. The 20`year`old died from a single stab wound last

September. The jury will continue their deliberations tomorrow in

regards to Hussein's co`defendant, Abdul Hakim. He denies murder.

Derby's Assembly Rooms could be closed for 18 months or even

demolished after a huge fire a month ago. The City Council, which owns

the venue, says it is looking at all the options. There is a long list of

shows which have been called off, as Mike O'Sullivan reports.

The fire, which destroyed the plant room for the Assembly Room a month

ago. Located on top of the car park next door. A senior council official

told me the entertainment venue could be closed for at least 18

months, or even demolished. We know it will be closed for 18 months but

we are saying at the same time we will do an options appraisal and

look at what all our options could possibly be on this site, what are

the options for entertainment going forward. We are not ruling anything

out or anything in. These pictures show the roof of the plant room

today. A mangled mess. But underneath, there is extensive

ducting coated with polystyrene foam which would have to be replaced,

costing millions. These are some of the acts and events which can't go

ahead. Comedian Sarah Millican in May. Dawn French at Derby's first

comedy Festival. The Folk Festival in October. The Festival of

Remembrance, so poignant this year. And next January, thousands of

graduates at Derby University. There is also concern from businesses

around the Assembly Rooms about the impact of the closure on Derby's

night`time economy. The Assembly Rooms does bring a lot of people

into the centre, to the bars and restaurants, it is an important

draw. Also in the daytime, we have got the shoppers visiting and we

have the car park out of action because the Assembly Rooms has a

very large car park. With all the options open, it could be months

before a decision is made. That is your news, now goodbye and

here is your weather. When not doing too badly this week.

Turning Chile now `` turning Chile macro now. Temperatures will drop

under the clear skies. A good night if you like doing stargazing.

Tomorrow will be a cold and frosty start initially but at least quite a

bit of sunshine. There is a veil of high cloud which starts to come in

in the afternoon. The wind is still very light, coming from the south.

There will be a slight change in the weather on Thursday. It takes place

overnight Wednesday. A cold front working its way southwards. It will

bring cloud and maybe the odd spot of rain. That is the forecast. The

National forecast is coming. This is hopefully warmer. This is a summary

and the look at the National forecast.

The sun has set on another beautiful day. Like last night, temperatures

have taken a nosedive this evening. It will be a cold night for the

middle of April. Temperature is well down into single figures in towns

and cities. Across eastern England in rural spots, close to freezing.

We are expecting another frost across many parts of England and

where. For Northern Ireland and Scotland, temperatures were covering

later in the night but for most of us, a cold but sunny start. The last

one for a while. We will see cloud increasing across Northern Ireland

and Scotland, the breeze freshening and rain heading into the far

north-west. Further south, a sunny day for most of England and Wales.

Clouds are rare and temperatures will bounce back nicely. On the

coastal fringes, quite cool. The breeze will have an edge to it.

Inland, warming up nicely and former than today in some places across

southeastern England. For Northern Ireland and Scotland it will be a

cooler day than today with the