A TOTAL of 38 jobs are set to go after a design and print company told staff it is proposing to close its Taunton operation.

Service Graphics, which locally operates out of a unit on the Crown Industrial Estate, in Venture Way, Priorswood, says the closure has been brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A letter to employees in Taunton - seen by the County Gazette - says: "As a result of the ongoing commercial pressure of the Paragon Service Graphics business brought about predominantly by the Covid-19 pandemic, the senior leadership team of Service Graphics has approved a proposal to move the operation's facilities around four sites, Brentford, Chippenham, Glasgow and Skelmersdale.

"This proposal will result in a 'place of work' redundancy for all 38 staff employed at the Taunton facility.

"Under those proposals, all operations will cease in Taunton and the proposals will affect the Taunton site only.

"It is proposed that transfer of operations and the closure of the Taunton facility will be concluded by February 2022."

The letter adds that the decision is expected to lead to the creation of 16 "new operational roles" which staff from Taunton are being encouraged to apply for.

An employee in Taunton, who asked not to be named, said they doubted anyone would apply for the new roles.

They added: "Shame on them (Service Graphics). They give Covid-19 as an excuse, but they made millions selling face covers and signage for Covid."

Managing director Martin Hutchings has written to staff.

In his message, he says: "I fully appreciate the distress and concern this announcement will cause, but the proposal to undertake redundancy has not been made lightly and has been subject to great deliberation.

"I appreciate that it will inevitably lead to a period of uncertainty and also to some distress with so many positions at risk.

"The proposed redundancies are also not a reflection on the efforts of the employees across the Taunton site - it is a considered response to the extreme trading conditions we anticipate in the future.

"We believe that these changes will help ensure the long-term viability of the company."

Parent company Paragon bought the business, then known as Magenta Print and Display, from Debenhams in December 2018 before the retailer went out of business.

At the time, Magenta employed 73 staff and produced 2D and 3D promotional material for Debenhams and also for third party clients.

The County Gazatte has approached the company to request a comment.