SWINDON is losing its continental flavour as Poles pack their bags and head for home.

Maryla Smolicz, co-owner of Maryla’s Polish deli on Groundwell Road, said many of Swindon’s ‘nicest residents’ are leaving the town because of job losses and poor prospects.

“I have many friends that have left already,” she said.

“It is very sad because no one wants to leave, most love it here in Swindon but without jobs people cannot afford the rent.

“Wages in Poland are much lower but many will take the choice of living with mama and papa rather than stay here unemployed.

“Because the Polish deli is often the first stop for people when they arrive I meet many Poles and I become friends with them.

“So it’s sad to see them leave.

“Many people started leaving after Honda decided to break for four months, many took the packages.

“But then again others have enjoyed Swindon so much they have bought a home and settled here.”

Maryla said she can tell that many are departing because attendances at Holy Rood Church have dipped and many of her customers have disappeared.

She added: “My business is going downhill too, when Poland joined the EU it was booming.

“Then two more Polish shops opened and now even Tesco and Asda have our style of food.

“So things are not looking great, but we have been here 24-years so hopefully this will not dent the business too much.“ Father James Finan, of Holy Rood Church in Groundwell Road, said although many Poles are leaving Swindon, the town’s Goan population is holding steady.

He said: “Our numbers are still high with the Goans.

“Many have, of course, lost their jobs like others in the town, but they are holding firm and staying with us.

“It has been a tough year for many of them, especially because many of them are highly qualified.

“But many qualifications aren’t good here – it’s unfortunate.

“Many have taken breaks to go back home to visit, because it is often easy to do that considering they have EU passports.

“But overall Goans aren’t going anywhere. They have bought homes and have mortgages so I think most are planning on sticking out the tough time with us.”

Goa is a former Portuguese colony in India.

Many Goans have Portuguese passports, which gives them travel rights across the EU, including the UK.