Michelle Byrne – Usdaw Area Organiser says: “This announcement is a real shock for staff and we are providing our members with the support they need at this very difficult time. Usdaw will enter into consultation talks with the company towards the end of the month when we will interrogate the business case for the proposed store closures. Our priority is to save jobs.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with around 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

Company statement: http://www.nbrown.co.uk/~/media/Files/N/N-Brown/press-releases/2018/n-brown-q1-2018-trading-statement.pdf

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion