SIXTY jobs are at risk at one of Scotland’s leading textile firms – but staff at its outlet in the Borders have been spared the axe.

Johnstons of Elgin make woollen garments at mills in Elgin and Hawick, some for luxury own-brand labels and some under its own name.

There will be a restructuring at the Elgin plant, which employs about 750 people, with 60 jobs under threat due to a slowdown in the market.

However, there are no plans to reduce the Hawick workforce at the outlet at Eastfield Mills.

The family-owned firm was founded in 1797.

Johnstons of Elgin said it had sales worth £100m last year, a rise of 20 per cent on the previous 12-month period.

However, it said global economic uncertainty and changes in consumer behaviour had slowed the luxury textiles market considerably this year.

A spokesperson said: “We have seen strong growth in each of the last three years in line with the overall strength of the luxury market following the pandemic.

“However, in 2024 the market has slowed considerably, due to global economic uncertainty and changes in consumer behaviour.

“We now expect sales in 2024 to be lower than last year and have had also to revise downward our future projections for 2025.

“Unfortunately, this means that we will have to consult with our workforce in Elgin to restructure our team in line with current and expected future demand.

“We expect 60 full-time equivalent roles to be affected from a total workforce of around 750 at this location.

“There are no plans to reduce our workforce in our Hawick mill, where volumes have been less impacted.

“In the longer term, we expect the luxury market to recover to a more stable long term growth trajectory, albeit at a slower rate than we have seen in the last decade.

“We continue to invest in equipment, training and development to be well placed to be able to support our customers and grow our own brand as the market improves.”

The Unite union has vowed to fight any threat of compulsory redundancies.