Jobs at risk after B&Q shake-up

Thirty warehouse jobs in Middleton are under threat after a distribution shake-up by B&Q.

The threat comes as more than 600 jobs are to be scrapped by the firm across the country, in a bid to improve customer service, reduce transport costs and CO2 emissions.

The first step in the shake-up is to stop all sites ran by third parties.

Distribution from the Stakehill Industrial Estate, operated by Wincanton, will cease in January 2012.

This is the second knock back for operating firm Wincanton, who lost its Tesco contract earlier this year, affecting 700 jobs.

A B&Q spokesperson said: “"B&Q will continue to work closely with its third party partners to ensure thorough consultation is completed with proper and fair arrangements made for all affected employees along with every option explored for minimising redundancies.”

Wincanton said every effort would be made to secure future employment for its staff.

"It is too early to say how many affected employees will be made redundant," a spokeswoman said.

The Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) union said B&Q indicated that there would be a requirement for a consolidation centre in the North West, but the location and details have yet to be confirmed.