(COMMENT) To Russia With Love?...

Ever since Nikolai Smolensky - Russia's youngest billionaire - seized control of TVR back in 2004 the doomsayers had predicted a move away from Blackpool to the cheap labour and tax breaks of Eastern Europe.

It was, they said, the only way a low-volume British sports car maker with lofty ambitions could comepete on a global scale. As demand for the company's line up of high-powered, lightweight muscle-cars began to slow, then dry up - it appeared they were right.

Then in June of this year, the following appeared on TVR's website and in the inbox of motoring hacks around the world...

"A Message From TVR (16 June 2006) Independent British sports car manufacturer, TVR has finalised the first stage of its relocation plans, and would like to confirm that it will be remaining in Britain and predominantly within Lancashire, the region in which the company was founded in 1947. "

Hurrahs were sounded, praises were sung and all the workers, 71 of whom had been temporarily stood down in April all popped off to the seafront for celebratory fish and chips. Or something.

Even as recently as the 21st of August, the company issued a press release about their plans to open a brand new factory in Blackpool in two years time.

But it was all for nought. Whether TVR were simply paddling PR bullshit to keep their necks above the water, or whether in the last 2 months there's been a seismic shift in the economics underlying Smolensky's business plan remains to be seen. But this week, nearly 50 years after the first "Trevor" rolled off the production line, the firm announced they were leaving. Not just leaving Lancashire either, but Britain.

Yes from now on TVR's will be made "elsewhere in Europe". Its almost certain that if the firm ever does resurfance, it'll be in a very different form East of the old Iron Curtain. Certainly the 250 skilled workers who's jobs have been shed in the Blackpool shutdown won't be involved.

Unions have called the whole affair a "bitter dissapointment". One factory worker told BBC News he was sick of being lied to by the firm's management.

For his part, owner Smolensky was at least apologetic. "We are extremely sorry that, after a period of uncertainty and raised hopes that we could continue production ourselves in Blackpool, we have had to make this decision." He said in a statement.

"We need to secure the future of the company and move it forward. I am afraid we see no other way to do so."

“We are acutely aware of the shock and distress this will cause for our staff and their families. We will ensure that we meet all our responsibilities towards them over the coming months.

"We would also like to express our gratitude to all those who have worked with us over the past months to try to maintain the company in Blackpool."

He went on to talk about continuing the good name of TVR elsewhere, but - after this debacle - and with cars being made outside Britain for the first time in the firm's history - the appeal, for many would-be-buyers, will be lost.

Would you by a Polish TVR?

Neither would I.