As you step off the train at Yeovil Pen Mill, a prominent sign greets visitors: “Welcome to the home of British helicopters.” But this iconic message may soon disappear, reflecting deep uncertainty looming over the town’s largest employer.
Leonardo, an Italian defence company, operates a major helicopter manufacturing plant in Yeovil, employing around 3,000 people locally. For many residents, Leonardo’s presence is woven into the community’s fabric. One local shopkeeper, speaking anonymously, said, “I don’t know anybody who doesn’t know anybody who works there.”
However, the factory’s future is now in jeopardy. Leonardo’s Chief Executive, Roberto Cingolani, recently expressed serious concerns about sustaining the plant after nearly 15 years without a UK government contract. In an interview with The Times, he remarked, “It is 14 years that we haven’t had any contract from the UK Government. It’s getting difficult for us to keep this big plant alive without an institutional collaboration. Should this not happen, we should seriously consider why we keep a plant there.”
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Echoing these worries, Yeovil MP Adam Dance addressed Parliament, urging government action before March to secure the contract. “If this contract is not awarded by March, we will lose over 3,000 manufacturing jobs in Yeovil, support for over 12,000 jobs in the regional supply chain, and the £320 million that Leonardo contributes to the local GDP,” he warned. “We would also lose our country’s ability to produce helicopters entirely in the UK during a period of serious global tension and insecurity.”
The potential closure of Leonardo would deal a devastating blow to Yeovil—a town still striving to recover economically. The £24 million Yeovil Refresh project, designed to revitalize the town for residents and visitors, faces an uphill battle if its anchor employer disappears.
Local resident Martin, 66, whose partner works at Leonardo, shared his fears: “Closing would be devastating for the town. Many employees commute from Weymouth, Bristol, and Bath. If they lose their jobs, they’ll have no reason to stay in Yeovil—no reason to grab a coffee, socialize, or attend local events.”
At The Butcher’s Arms pub, conversations echo these concerns. One regular lamented, “We’re becoming a ghost town now.” Another added, “It’s the last place employing people besides the hospital.”
Leonardo’s potential shutdown would not be Yeovil’s first major economic loss. In 2023, the historic leather manufacturer Pittards, which once employed hundreds, went into administration. Martin reflected, “The two main employers were Leonardo and Pittards.” While Pittards’ closure was a shock, many saw it as inevitable. Now, the community anxiously awaits the fate of Leonardo, its remaining industrial backbone.