582 jobs axed as supermarket closes depot

Apr 11 2007

A DISTRIBUTION depot which supplies supermarket giant Morrisons is to close with the loss of up to 582 jobs, it was announced today.

The firm said the site at Tamworth in Staffordshire would close at the end of August following a review of the network aimed at improving deliveries to stores in the South West and south Wales.

The depot is managed by delivery firm DHL. Morrisons said it was exploring alternative plans for the site and wanted to sell it as a going concern, retaining DHL as the operator.

Gary Holz, an official of the shopworkers' union Usdaw, said: "This has come as a shock to us and to the workforce.

"We are seeking urgent talks with DHL to obtain as much information as we can and will discuss with them what options are open to our members.

"The best option would be to find a new customer to occupy the site when Morrisons leave.

"We will be using the 90-day consultation period to do everything we can to support our members during this difficult and worrying time."

Tamworth MP Brian Jenkins said: "This is bad news for Tamworth, and more importantly for the families of the people that work there.

"Fortunately, the economy now is such that we have almost full employment, and I hope that the people who are made redundant will be able to find new employment in Tamworth quickly."