The Japanese company, a tire manufacturer, announced the closure of its Béthune plant on Thursday.

Bridgestone thus swept aside the rescue plan in which the public authorities had planned to invest millions of euros and save two thirds of the jobs of the 863 employees of the factory.

She promises reclassifications, but on the spot, skepticism dominates.

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Bridgestone's decision seems incomprehensible.

The Japanese group located in Béthune rejects the rescue plan that the public authorities had prepared.

This plan provided for millions of euros of investment and the maintenance of two thirds of the jobs of the 863 employees of the plant.

The management felt that there is no other solution than the closure for a loss-making site.

Although Bridgestone claims to have prepared other projects, the employees met on site are very skeptical. 

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"We still have a glimmer of hope"

Takeover projects, reindustrialisation of the site and reclassification of staff.

For the moment, these are Bridgestone's commitments which remain unclear and offer no guarantees for employment.

For employees, traumatized by the brutal closure of their factory, the word of the Japanese giant is no longer really valuable.

"It's starting to be hard to believe Bridgestone's word after all this," commented one of the employees.

A second worker, more optimistic, retorts: "We will say that we still have a glimmer of hope for that".

"Do not make people dream either ... And now we need something concrete for employees who will be left behind," adds a final. 

Encourage the establishment of a competitor in the territory

Bridgestone is said to have even undertaken to promote the establishment on the site of one of its competitors, a tire manufacturer.

A proposal that makes Olivier Gacquerre, the mayor of Béthune, smile.

"I've passed the age of naivety. Do you really think Bridgestone will bring in one of its competitors, who is moreover a new Asian entry into the territory? I'm not convinced. So what I tell them I said in conclusion: give us the biggest check possible and, on our side, we will also seek solutions for the employees. 

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There remains an anger that will have to be contained but "it will be difficult", confides a union official, "despite the promises, there is real despair among the employees".