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Arena Magazine 2005 Issue 6 November December |
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Job loss fears as Co-op Group shuts department stores
Usdaw has pledged to support all of its members at 36 Co-op Group department and home stores which face sale or closure over the next 14 months.
Ten of the stores are expected to close by February 2006 with the remainder to be sold or closed by February 2007.
"Our members are understandably very distressed at hearing this news," said national officer Sharon Ainsworth. "Many of the 1,300 staff affected are long-serving and loyal Co-op Group employees.
"We will be urging the Co-op Group and any new owners to do everything they can to retain the highly skilled workforce.
"Ongoing consultations will be taking place with the Co-op Group to secure as many jobs as possible."
The Co-op Group, while regretting the closures, has blamed a history of losses at the stores which were running at around £4m a year.
The planned closure programme looks like this:
Phase 1. The following stores are expected to close by the end of February 2006.
Hatfield, Falkirk, Alexandria, Dunoon, Dumbarton, Ashington, Kirkintillock, Gillingham, Fraserburgh, and Helensburgh.
Phase 2. The following stores are expected to close by the end of February 2007.
Glenrothes, Alloa, Amble, Blyth, Newcastle, Gateshead, Chester-Le-Street, Bishop Auckland, Dartford, Strood, Ashford, Eastbourne, Brighton, Bletchley, Paisley, Greenock, East Kilbride, Chatham, Welwyn Garden City, Skegness, Altham, Hoddesdon, Mansfield, Sittingbourne, Leighton Buzzard and Berwick.
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