Sadness has been expressed as a 100-year-old Wantage business announced it would be closing in the new year. 

EMS Physio, a third-generation company that produces medical supplies, was founded in 1924 and moved to Grove Business Park in 1969.

The company traded globally but faced rising costs in key markets compounded by Covid, Brexit, and the cost of living struggle. 

District councillor Andy Crawford, who represents the Wantage Charlton ward on the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Such a shame that after a century of trading one of our world-leading hi-tech companies is forced to close.

"My thoughts are particularly with the staff who will lose their livelihoods just before Christmas. 

READ MORE: Sir Ed Davey slams proposed 'bus tax' during Wantage visit

EMS Physio (Image: Contributed) “It should concern us all that the burdens of regulation caused by our decision to leave the EU and the Single Market has played a major part in the closure of yet another company and that successive governments have failed to resolve the issue.”

County councillors for Wantage and Grove Jane Hanna and Jenny Hannaby have also shared their sadness about the closure. 

Mrs Hanna said: "EMS Physio, a community based UK manufacturer of great products, provided a hundred years of employment for this area.

“This is their legacy, but that they will be closing is a great loss. Global competition is fierce following the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

"We must hope that national leaders will listen to the Bank of England this week and all who are calling for urgent renegotiation of barriers to trade, especially for our small to medium sized UK manufacturers, which are quite excessive since Brexit."

Managing director James Greenham previously said: “I reluctantly, but eventually took the decision that we have to close the business.

“We’re terribly disappointed, for everybody. It’s a well-respected, well-organised company and the staff are brilliant.

"The cost of regulation is unmanageable. We’d have to pay tens of thousands of pounds to comply with regulations from next year to continue trading around the world.

“There’s more competition, prices are being driven lower, and essentially as a UK based manufacturer you’ve got to be of a certain size just to absorb the overheads.”

EMS Physio employs about 25 people, mostly in its Wantage factory.

Mr Greenham added: “You don’t want to let down staff, or customers or suppliers, but you have to face reality.

“I’m glad we got to 100 years, but my priority now is to land the closure comfortably and safely.”

The closure is especially poignant this year, on the business’s centenary anniversary. 

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby 

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