Recent job cuts by Swindon firms may suggest that the town's boom time has ended. But ANDY TATE finds we are still bucking the national trend.

Swindon is booming. A look at the unemployment figures suggests the town has never had it so good.

The number of people claiming Job Seekers' Allowance is down to 2,326, according to the latest figures.

At two per cent of the town's population, that is lower than the national average of 2.6 per cent.

Michael Wills MP must be sleeping soundly. The unemployment count across his North Swindon constituency is just 1.7 per cent.

The figures cannot be explained away as a blip in the graph statistics for this time last year show unemployment levels have stayed largely static.

But in spite of the rosy picture suggested by a quick glance at the claimant numbers, there have been several dark moments for Swindon workers in the past few months.

Since the start of the year about 1,500 staff at Swindon firms have lost their jobs because of companies making redundancies or, in some cases, moving out altogether.

Motorola finished a three-year, 1,000-person redundancy programme earlier this year, and Cellular Operations will have added about 500 people to the jobless total by December.

In July, Zurich Financial Services, one of Swindon's biggest employers, announced it was to close a data centre in Wootton Bassett with the loss of more than 45 jobs.

Various smaller firms have added to the unemployment queue.

In June Blackwell Bros International Plants Ltd moved production to Cam-bridgeshire with the loss of about 40 jobs.

In January about 120 jobs went at Swindon-based Book Club Associates.

In February 140 dairy workers at St Ivel clocked off for the last time.

And in September, Windmill Hill Motor Company, the Citroen dealership in Great Western Way, announced that it was to shed 25 jobs, and more than 70 posts were lost at South Marston-based engineering firm Forward Industries.

The latest business to land bad news on its workforce is Westlea-based Endeva, the troubled call centre and logistics support company.

Last week it was estimated about 50 of its total workforce of 400 were made redundant.

Some experts say job losses are inevitable, that Swindon cannot be protected from the fluctuations of an increasingly global economy.

But others argue that more could be done to ensure the town continues to attract and retain investment.

Kevin Brandstatter, organising officer for the GMB union in Swindon, said that the Government should be doing more to dissuade companies from relocating to countries with cheap labour and poor working conditions.

"We're concerned about the loss of manufacturing jobs to developing countries," said Mr Brandstatter.

"Over the last couple of years it has started to hit the commercial services area of high technology and call centre jobs.

"They could all be relocated to the Indian subcontinent."

The union organiser said that jobs should receive more support and protection from the state.

"If the British Government wanted to keep things on a level playing field with the rest of the world they would do more to attract industry and keep it here," he said.

Instead, Britain lacked laws compelling companies to consult with its workers before making redundancies.

"There is no warning about job losses in the UK, while in France and Germany workers have to be consulted first," he said.

From a business perspective, Dennis Grant, chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, said the town was in a better position than many.

"Every job loss is a concern but Swindon's economy still bucks national trends and we are still on the up in terms of the national picture," he said.

But he warned that recent job losses signalled the town could not afford to be complacent.

"We may have high employment and enjoy the benefits of some big names in business, but we are living in a global economy where decisions are not taken in the context of Swindon but in the world," he said.

Mr Grant pointed to EMI's decision to shut down its CD production plant in Greenbridge last year, resulting in the loss of nearly 200 jobs.

The plant had been of the highest quality in every measure, he said, but the company decided to transfer production to its larger facility in The Netherlands where its distribution operation was based.

Those responsible with luring investment into Swindon and buffering the town against some of the harsher effects of global capitalism are focusing on the long term.

Chris Worthington, principal economic development officer at Swindon Council, said that it was important to maintain a diverse economy.

That way when one sector was not doing so well there would be other companies to buoy up the town.

Next spring Mr Worthington is to mount a campaign to promote Swindon as a location for industry and commerce.

"We need to continue to attract new companies into the town and remain competitive in a global economy," he said.

The Westfield retail development, an ambitious project to extend the town's shopping area, will form a key part of Swindon's inward investment strategy, as will plans for a new library and cinema. Rosemary Wells of the New Swindon Company, which is charged with regenerating the town centre, said its aim was to make the town more attractive to both employers and employees. "Anyone is disappointed when businesses have to cut back, but there's a lot of potential for growth in the town centre," she said.

Jobs lost: Motorola: Completed a three-year, 1,000-person redundancy programme earlier this year.

Cellular Operations: About 500 to go by December.

Zurich Financial Services: In July announced 45 jobs to go with closure of data centre.

Blackwell Bros International Plants: Loss of about 40 jobs in June.

Book Club Associates: About 120 jobs went in January.

St Ivel:140 dairy workers clocked off for the last time in February.

Windmill Hill Motor Company: The Citroen dealership in Great Western Way, announced in September it was to shed 25 jobs.

Forward Industries: More than 70 posts were lost at the South Marston-based engineering firm in September.

Endeva: The troubled Westlea call centre and logistics company reportedly made 50 of its total workforce of 400 redundant this month.

Jobs gained: Dunelm: The soft furnishings company is taking on 100 employees to work in its new store at St Margarets retail park, in Oxford Road, set to open on December 4.

Profile Clothing: A new clothes store opening in central Swindon is recruiting 17 staff.

GADGET SHOP: Opening today in Regent Street and taking on 10 workers.