A MAJOR Ulverston employer which announced more than 190 jobs are to be slashed have met with a special taskforce to find other suitable ways of bringing employment.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has launched a fresh focus on potential ideas to bring new businesses on land opposite the site.

The pharmaceutical giant will no longer follow through with a proposed £350m expansion and site director Phil Wilson hopes that a land donation can become a possibility.

A document has been created looking at avenues on how spare land can be put to good use.

Mr Wilson said: “GSK has made a very strong commitment that land will be made available. We need to look at how we can create something exciting for this community with long-term sustainability and economic growth.

“We have provided support on how we can develop the land and GSK are committed to get something that could be presentable to other companies and industries in the future."

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, who had convened a task force, said it was important the land available is used wisely.

He said: “The meeting has been good. It is vitally important that we do everything we can to provide new opportunities.

“It is good to get strong commitment from GSK and local authorities for something new on that land which could create jobs.

“I was pleased with the level of engagement but there is a lot to go through.

“We need to get the deal so this land can be available and bring new opportunities to the area.

Mr Woodcock said the taskforce meetings with GSK will be regular to make sure these plans do not fall through.

The MP said people have been let down by the company in the past and hopes a deal can be struck.

He said: “GSK know they have to show the area they can deliver on this commitment.

“There has been years of disappointment but the energy and engagement on site is a sign of optimism.”