(09 Mar 2022, 12:58 pm)Adrian wrote The article also states (4th paragraph) that "The company has since responded to the claims, refuting any suggestion that there are plans to close the site which has been open since 1912"
Which appears to be in conflict with the quote you've pulled from the article, but I'd say still amounts to a ruling out. As you say though, plans can change, but I'd suggest changing them so soon after refuting something would not go down well with the workforce. Political suicide, you might say...
The article is a bit unclear really, because at one point it says they have refuted, another point it says they appeared to refute and the quotes provided don't outright say it won't close just that it could be part of of ZEBRA plans...unless there are other quotes not included I'd say the idea of it being refuted only really come from the author of the article Jim Scott - because saying there's a lot of work to do to finalise the plans and that Chester could be part of it, personally, I don't see as ruling out, just that nothing's been finalised - which is fair enough as the bid hasn't even been confirmed successful yet.