Peterborough Depot To Close

10 January 2011, 14:14 | Updated: 10 January 2011, 14:20

Redundancies are likely, following The Co-Operative Group's decision to close a depot in Peterborough.

230 people work at the depot in Ivatt Way on the Westwood Industrial Estate.

Food and goods are transported from there to Co-Operative food stalls in East Anglia and the South Midlands, but will close in the autumn.

Deliveries are going to be transferred to depots at Huntingdon and Godmanchester, both operated by a private company on behalf of the Co-Op group, while others will be transferred to a new regional distribution centre being built in Hampshire.

The company says that "efforts will be made to redeploy the 230 staff where possible, but it is likely that there will be some redundancies."

The decision follows the firm's review of it's delivery service to food stores, following the purchase of Somerfield in 2009.

Mark Leonard, The Co-operative Group’s regional Head of Logistics, said: "The acquisition of Somerfield meant we had to thoroughly review our distribution network nationwide, so we could continue to provide our enlarged store estate with an excellent service.

"This in no way reflects the commitment and hard work of staff at Peterborough, whose performance has been exemplary."