job losses - Neighbourhood Retailer

Americold enters long-term partnership with Culina to run Lurgan transport operation

Linda Stewart — Fri, 27 May 2022 11:00:15 +0000

Cold storage business Americold has entered into a long-term partnership with Culina Group to run its Lurgan transport operations.

The move is part of a restructuring of the business, which was previously known as Agro and, before that as Sawyers Transport, and is expected to result in a number of job losses.

In a letter to staff, reported by the Irish News, Americold’s Europe managing director Hans Kroes said that as part of the Culina partnership, subject to a full consultation process, “some colleagues associated with the transport operation may transfer across under TUPE regulations”.

“Americold will strive to ensure that concerns are minimised through a thorough consultation process in partnership in partnership with Culina Group. During the days and weeks ahead, the company will share information as and when it becomes available.

“It is envisaged that the consultation period will conclude no later than the end of July and after full Americold executive leadership approval.”

With an overall turnover of more than £2.2 billion, a combined workforce of 22,000 staff, around 20 million square feet of warehousing and a joint fleet of more than 5,500 vehicles, Culina Group a market leading position in the FMCG logistics sector.

Culina has an operation close to Americold at Silverwood business part in Lurgan.

Mr Kroes added in his statement: “Culina Group are one of the UK’s leading logistics businesses and this partnership will allow Americold to focus on our core business in frozen warehousing.

“Operational colleagues from Culina will be on site at Lurgan supporting Amercold during the consultation process, and our own senior management team will als be on site this week to answer any questions that may arise as we work through the transfer process.”

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Almost 135k retail jobs lost during pandemic: GMB

Linda Stewart — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 10:17:57 +0000

Almost 135,000 traditional retail jobs were lost during the pandemic, GMB analysis of official figures suggests.

In 2019, there were an estimated 1.2 million sales and retail assistants, retail cashiers and check-out operators. By 2021 that number had dropped to just under 1,075,000, the latest ONS figures show.

The stats emerge amid Wilkos closures across the UK with two – Stockton and The Fort, Birmingham – due to shut next week.

GMB represents tens of thousands of workers in the retail sector.

Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “The Great British High Street is being allowed to wither and die. These are vital businesses that drive our economy and help our communities thrive.

“GMB calls on councils and landlords to review commercial leases and offer lower rents – while our business rates system is archaic and no longer fit for purpose.

“Empty high streets and shopping centres that look like ghost towns are no good for anyone.”

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Gregg’s suffer lockdown losses

Julie Nash — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 14:52:47 +0000

Bakery chain Greggs is anticiapting a loss of £15m loss the year – its first annual loss since it listed its shares on the stock exchange in 1984.

The bakery chain said it does not expect profits to return to pre-Covid levels until 2022 at the earliest.

It has been battling a sales slump due to the coronavirus pandemic, but sales declines have been lessening. Greggs made 820 job cuts across the UK at the end of last year, after sales were hit by coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns.

Chief executive Roger Whiteside said the impact of the Covid-19 crisis had been “enormous” and that a fresh lockdown meant “significant uncertainties remain in the near term”.

Coronavirus restrictions towards the end of last year led to “variable trading conditions across the UK”, he said.

Sales in the final three months of the year fell by nearly a fifth, but this decline was less than its sales slump in the third quarter.

In September, Greggs said it was in talks with staff to cut hours in an effort to minimise job losses.

“Looking ahead, the significant uncertainty over the duration of social restrictions, along with the impact of higher unemployment levels, makes it difficult to predict performance,” the firm said.

“However, we do not expect that profits will return to pre-Covid levels until 2022 at the earliest.”

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Buncrana Road redevelopment puts 300 retail jobs at risk

Julie Nash — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:23:35 +0000

Retail NI has warned that 300 jobs are at risk from local businesses on the Buncrana Road in Derry/Londonderry.

Retail NI says unless changes are made to the proposed redevelopment plan to facilitate customers getting access to local small retailers and businesses, traders fear current upgrade plans to the road will restrict passing trade to local businesses and put jobs in jeopardy.

Jobs in jeopardy

To avoid this, Retail NI submitted a number of changes to the redevelopment plan – all of which were rejected by Department for Infrastructure officials.

Retail NI met with Colum Eastwood MP, Martina Anderson MLA, Gary Middleton MLA and the President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce to outline their concerns.

Buncrana Road Trader and Retail NI Board member David Barber said “We have submitted sensible and practical changes to the proposed redevelopment plan to facilitate our customers and passing trade being able to access the shops on Buncrana Road. Sadly, all were rejected by the Department for Infrastructure”

Loss in local trade

“If customers can’t gain easy access to our stores, then we will lose this trade which will sadly result in store closures, up to 300 job losses and a net loss of £2million to the local economy”

“We urge the Infrastructure Minister to intervene and ensure changes are made to the redevelopment plan to avoid these job losses”

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said “With the huge hit to the economy with Covid-19, every job is vital, and we urge the Minister to listen to our concerns and make the necessary changes to this plan and protect these livelihoods and small businesses”

“Retail NI supports the overall plan to upgrade the Buncrana Road as it is a vital investment in the infrastructure of Derry, the North West and the Derry-Strabane City Deal. However, no business should have to close, nor jobs lost as a result of this redevelopment.”

Threat to businesses

Redmond McFadden, President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce added “It is crucial that this issue is resolved and the threat to these businesses lifted. The prospect of the loss of so many jobs and businesses in our city has to be avoided at all costs and we hope that the Minister will act accordingly”

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