A union representing workers at Japan Tobacco International’s (JTI) cigarette factory in Northern Ireland proposed turning the site into a centre for excellence for pouch tobaccos and cigars as an alternative to closing the plant, the BBC said.

About 500 jobs could be preserved by turning the JTI Gallaher site in Ballymena into a centre for leadership, best practises and support for the two products, the Unite union reportedly said. JTI in October proposed shuttering Ballymena and a factory in Belgium between 2016 and 2018 due to declining volumes. In addition to cigarettes, the Ballymena plant manufactures the popular Amber Leaf RYO brand. Closing the facility, as expected by 2017, would cost Ballymena 876 jobs, according to the BBC report.