Tesco To Shut Welham Green Tesco Warehouse

9 January 2017, 17:25 | Updated: 9 January 2017, 18:57

Tesco

Tesco says that 1,000 people will be made redundant as part of a shake-up of its distribution network, including the closure of the Welham Green Distribution Centre in Hertfordshire.

They'll also be changes to the distribution staff in Northamptonshire.

The grocer is set to reduce the number of distribution centres from 25 to 23, closing its Welham Green and Chesterfield sites.

However, the company is expected to create 500 new roles as part of the shake-up.

The changes are expected to be in place by June.

Matt Davies, chief executive of Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI), said:

"As the needs of our customers change, it's vital we transform our business for the future.

As part of this we are proposing to close two of our distribution centres in the UK. These changes will help to simplify our distribution operations so we can continue to serve our customers better.

Our priority throughout this process has been our colleagues and we will continue to do all we can to support them at this time.''

Tesco will be moving the grocery operations from its Welham Green site to an existing distribution site in Reading, where the workforce will be expanded.

It will also be increasing the staff size at its Middlesbrough centre, where the majority of its general merchandising will be located.

That move will result in the closure of its Chesterfield distribution site.

Tesco will also be withdrawing from it's Hanging garments shared distribution centre in Daventry, which is currently operated by third party DHL.

Its clothing operations will move to the nearby Tesco Daventry distribution centre.

Joanne McGuinness - Usdaw National Officer says:

"This is devastating news for the staff at Welham Green and Chesterfield distribution centres. Usdaw officials and senior reps were on-site today to support and advise members at this difficult time. We will now enter into consultation talks with the company where we will look closely at the business case for these proposed closures. Our priority is to save jobs and keep as many staff employed in the business as possible.

The proposed management restructure in all Tesco distribution centres will result in jobs being put at risk; again Usdaw will be consulted on the business case for the company's proposal and we will be seeking to get the best deal for any of our members who will be affected"