IT will be a sad day when Lister Petter leaves Dursley. The firm has been a fixture in the town for around 150 years.
In fact, it was the economic backbone of Dursley for decades.
But times change and Listers, as most people affectionately call the firm, is no exception.
It started in a rented mill, repairing farm machinery and developed in to a 3,000-strong workforce providing jobs for generations in Dursley.
Now there are around 200 employees making gas and diesel engines and, judging by the number of cars parked at Cam and Dursley Station, the area is inhabited mainly by commuters who leave by road and rail during the working day.
For the best part of three years it was feared Lister Petter may leave the area altogether and head up the M5 to Tewkesbury – taking yet more workers away from Dursley.
So the news that Stroud District Council, developer and landowner St Modwen and Lister Petter have got their heads together to come up with a plan which (just) keeps jobs in the district is to be welcomed.
It will only be a short 11-mile hop up the A38 to Hardwicke to the planned factory, which is in the right place and of the right standard to give Lister Petter the chance to prosper for generations to come.
The deal also frees up more land in Dursley for much-needed housing.
While it is sad to see the Lister name leave Dursley, the situation could have been much worse.