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Redundancy is the cold face of recessions. Some firms genuinely cannot cope, other use the recession as an opportunity to restructure, sack with relish.

In short there is little that can be done, but if companies such as Boots do donate millions towards regenerating the land where their factory used to stand, surely this is to be welcomed?

You say "Boots donated £3.6 million from the sale of its factory land to the regeneration effort that accompanied its departure" Douglas, this is the hallmark of a responsible firm. Which takes its obligations to the local community seriously.

If only Daigio would do likewise, and take their responsibilities seriously; so that even if closure is inevitable (in their pursuit if ever higher profits) - they at least respect the local community they are hurting.

Re- Boots (Airdrie) I think we have two former employees now working with us, dinnae ken where the other 498 ended-up. But hey-ho the incensed politician that went doon-under still had a highly paid joab furra life though! Kinda like the those that have been speaking out about Diagio etc, did I also not hear that USA firm moving out of Livingston with the loss of 500, I'm quite sure another of those lifer politician's is also pledging (words) not money to seek some sort of management buy-out. Ah but then words are so cheap, laterally speaking that's what many perhaps think of these so called captains of politics!

This is an interesting report on the outcome of Boots.

If asked, how many of us could have cited Boots as a forerunner of Diageo? I remember it now but only when prompted, I suspect that will, in time, be the case with Kilmarnock and Diageo.

Speaking from experience, having been thrown on the scrapheap twice, each time by very successful and profitable British multinationals I know the fear, anger, resentment, and perhaps even relief that will be facing those at Kilmarnock.

I know also that offers of help are not guarantees of success and I have had good times and bad over the last decade or so.

The most important thing is not to dwell in the past and be consumed by anger and resentment. Instead, focus your efforts on the present and the future, concentrate on what is essential rather than desirable and above all be flexible.

The jobs I have done since my first trip to the scrappie are nothing like what I did for over a quarter of a century but they have all put food on the table and in over forty years I have only ever signed on for benefit for a couple of months.

I am happier now than ever before due to my own efforts and the support of my family. Employers, politicians and trade unions are about as much help as the proverbial chocolate fireguard at times like these.

I sympathise with those faced with unemployment now but the future is in their own hands.

"That seems to be where Scottish Government thinking is heading in Kilmarnock, judging by the detail with which Finance Secretary John Swinney addressed the future value of the Johnnie Walker plant.

Local Labour MP Des Browne has also served notice his intention now is to squeeze the most out of Diageo as it departs his constituency.

The drinks company has said it wants to a leave a legacy (other than unemployment) and is open to ideas."

Well this is to be welcomed, if the firm does wish to leave a better legacy then it should be encouraged to do so. It is vital that th firm pays some financial contributions into the community.

It ought to mitigage some of the worst effects of closure, unemployment on the communities.

When did responsibility to the community become part of company business ? The fact they've been there for so long has meant an enormous contribution to the local economy, far more than any gesture liable to be extracted from them now by the posturings of polititians.Companies are in business to make money, not to provide social services; this is the province of the very polititians who allowed the economy to collapse and thereby hastened the demise of a viable employer ; now they try to shift the blame and responsibility to the company their incompetence has destroyed in the hope they can claim some credit for any largesse handed out by the departing employer.Meanwhile the redundent workforce, after an initial blitz from polititians and a useless job centre will be left to plough it's own lonely furrow.

"Companies are in business to make money, not to provide social services;"

True, however to remove the social responsiblity aspect from commerce and industry is to invite desaster, just loo at the current recession.

We need more responsibility, socially awares firms, and better pan-economic regulation; not less. Banking and finance is proof that the solution is to have politicians actively promote a sense of social responsibility in the nations employers.

This is peoples livelihoods afterall.