The local firm – who specialise in the manufacturing of wheelchair-accessible vehicles – confirmed to workers on Thursday that operations will cease.

Patricia said: “I am shocked and saddened to see another blow to the Ballymena economy as NuTrack closes its gates. This further loss of manufacturing jobs in the area is a serious knock to local families in what is an already uncertain climate.

“Although promises have been made that the workers will be ‘reabsorbed’ by other employers, this does not undo the shock and stress of those who have been made unemployed by the closure and who, at this moment, have no clarity on what happens next. Nor does it mitigate the fact that at least 65 jobs have vanished.

“I have reached out to representatives from NuTrack and spoken to the Union, who also find themselves scrambling for information in the confusion around this closure. The staff of this company deserve better, and the people of Ballymena deserve more.

“As the Cost of Living crisis worsens and the DUP continues their refusal to get back to work, we fear that more local businesses will falter without proper support and advice – and that it is the workers and their families who will feel this most.

“The people of Ballymena want to work, and I want to be able to represent them to my fullest. From energy price rises, fears over to how feed families and even how to pay mortgages, the DUP need to get back to work, stop their shameful opportunism and help the rest of us deliver for everyone in Northern Ireland.”