Bold plan to rejuvenate Navan’s carpets industry

A plan to revive Navan's once renowned carpets industry is to be relayed at a public meeting in the town in the new year. Local community activist Paddy Pryle is hoping to assemble past employees of the Navan Carpets factory and other experts in a co-operative which will be set up initially on a voluntary basis. He is optimistic about receiving public backing to “again place the town on the map from humble beginnings during hard economic timesâ€. Mr Pryle said: “Carpets are not only a symbol of the town but can be a ray of hope for the many brilliantly skilled people who, through no fault of their own, are now unemployed. Navan has generations of expertise and knowledge just waiting to be tapped into. A start-up location and equipment is secondary to that.†Mr Pryle admits that “there isn't a red cent†to start the project but hopes the goodwill and determination of people will be enough to get the project off the ground, at least initially. “Navan Carpets are still on sale through a London manufacturer but we can still trade under a similar name. This will be a complete voluntary scheme until such a time as profit can be seen,†he added. “We'll start small, we'll make one mat and then two and then go from there as a community project.†In addition to former workers, Mr Pryle is appealing to other sectors for assistance. “We'll need business plans, financial projections, any help we can get and we will also need the complete backing and advice of both Navan Town and Meath County Councils,†he said. “Navan needs a kick-start right now and what better way to put pride back into the town than to reinvent a local industry which was known the world over?†Mr Pryle went on. “We need to get away from all this economic negativity and have something positive to look to in the New Year. This time 2011, I want to see Santa Claus arriving in the town on a carpet made in Navan!†Further details about the meeting will be finalised in the coming weeks and if anyone is interested in getting involved in the project, they can contact Mr Pryle on (086) 822 7822. Navan Carpets, which was sited where the present-day Blackwater Retail Parks is located on the Kells Road in Navan, went into voluntary liquidation in June 2003. With a workforce of 200 at the time, a substantial drop in exports - particularly to the United States - as well as a drop in the home market, was blamed for the decision. Carpets manufactured by the company were renowned the world over and adorned top hotels, cruise ships and casinos in the United States.