Staff at the Walker Street manufacturer were told on Friday the plant would close by the end of the month. 

Managing director Phil Smith said there was declining demand for woollen products in a “very competitive market”.

He said most companies had moved production overseas and guaranteed the 21 staff would receive their entitlements. 

One long-term worker said the situation at the factory, which a different company opened in 1875, was “pretty horrible”. 

“Everyone’s trying to do the best that they can, but we’re pretty low,” they said. 

“Castlemaine’s a small community. 

“It’s going to be pretty hard to find new jobs, especially with places closing down left right and centre. It’s going to be very hard.”

Staff from the company’s head offices in Dandenong will meet local workers today, followed by a staff meeting with the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia representatives tomorrow. 

Union national and state secretary Michele O’Neil said it would be hard for people to find new jobs. 

“It’s a terrible decision for the workers of Castlemaine,” Ms O’Neil said. 

“It’s a very difficult time for those workers and their families.

“This follows the company already halving the workforce in April last year.”

Thirty-two jobs were cut from the Castlemaine business in the previous round of redundancies. 

Ms O’Neil said the union had a redundancy and training support office to assist workers to find new work.