1,397 manufacturing jobs disappeared

LONDONDERRY haemorrhaged 1,397 manufacturing jobs between 2007 and 2011 despite an increase from 142 to 155 in the number of factories or workshops in the city.

Back in 2007 there were 142 manufacturing firms here but by 2011 the number had grown to 155.

Despite this the number of jobs fell from 4,699 to 3,302 over the same period, reflecting a continuation of the general decline of the sector in the city.

The paradox may be explained by the decline in the number of big factories which employed more than 50 people: in 2007 there were 17; by 2011 there were just 10. The number of small firms rose from 125 to 145 during the same timeframe.

But back in 2007 125 small companies employed 1,405 whilst in 2011 145 small companies employed just 917.