Gainsborough worker faces final shift as Lindsey refinery jobs come to an end

A refinery worker from Gainsborough has spoken of his sadness ahead of his final shift at Lindsey Oil Refinery, bringing a deeply personal note to a story that has been watched closely across northern Lincolnshire. David Cook, 63, has spent 14 years working for contracting companies based at the North Killingholme site. Now, as changes continue following the collapse of Prax, he is among those losing their jobs. For many readers in Lincolnshire, the refinery is more than an industrial site on the Humber bank.

It has long been tied to livelihoods, routine and the kind of close working relationships that build up over years. Mr Cook described the site as a place where people got on well and where he had enjoyed going to work, calling colleagues a "work family". That sense of community makes the ending harder. Speaking before his last day, he said he would miss the place and the people, adding that it would not be the same once workers went their separate ways.

His comments reflect a wider uncertainty for those whose futures have been tied to the refinery and its associated contractors. Lindsey Oil Refinery was taken over by the official receiver in June 2025 after Prax collapsed. The site is now due to be bought by Phillips 66, which already runs the neighbouring Humber Refinery. According to the Insolvency Service, intervention prevented all staff from losing their jobs without notice in June, and workers were thanked for their patience during the process.

The latest stage means some jobs will continue, while others will end. The Insolvency Service has previously said 74 Prax employees would lose their jobs on Tuesday. It also said 100 employees had been offered roles with Phillips 66, while another 58 workers were being retained to help run the site until the sale is completed, which is expected in April. Phillips 66 has said it is not planning to restart refining operations at Lindsey.

That leaves some workers looking for a new start in a difficult moment, especially those who have spent decades in the trade. Mr Cook said it had been more than 20 years since he last had to look for work and he now faced searching online and attending job fairs. He also spoke candidly about the challenge of doing so at 63. The government has said support is being put in place.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the first priority was workers, and pointed to a training guarantee intended to help those affected build skills and find long-term jobs. For Lincolnshire communities connected to the Humber's industrial economy, the story is a reminder that major business decisions are often felt most sharply in ordinary homes, where the loss of a shift can mean the loss of a familiar way of life.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.