Usdaw welcomes closure of Castle Point shopping centre after health and safety scare

Retail union Usdaw has welcomed the closure of the Castle Point shopping centre in Bournemouth by the Health and Safety Executive who are investigating claims that the car park is unsafe.

The union represents workers at the Sainsbury’s superstore at the centre as well as Argos and Marks and Spencer staff and have been warning Castle Point management about this problem for more than a year

“We have been telling the management for over a year that there were serious problems with the car park after our members reported lumps of concrete falling on to their cars,” says Usdaw Area Organiser Colin Davies. “This is a very serious health and safety issue for our members and shoppers so we welcome this closure while an investigation takes place.

“Sainsbury’s are already re-deploying their staff to other stores across the South West which we welcome and would urge other retailers at Castle Point to do the same.

“The closure of such a major centre in the pre-Christmas rush is clearly a drastic step but one we welcome and we are totally committed to working with the HSE to make sure this matter is resolved quickly so our members can get back to work in a safe environment.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 341,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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