Jobs at risk as Boohoo mulls future of ‘model’ Leicester factory

Fast fashion retailer Boohoo could close its controversial Leicester factory on Thurmaston Lane – just two years after it opened its “model” facility.

Boohoo introduced the new factory in 2022.

The action came after Alison Levitt KC’s 2020 investigation revealed unsafe conditions and failure to pay the minimum wage in Leicestershire factories during the lockdown.

However, in November last year new allegations arose during a BBC Panorama investigation that Boohoo had failed to keep its promises of fair and ethical clothing production at the Thurmaston Lane site.

Now, according to reports in fashion trade title Drapers, Boohoo is considering relocating its operations to another site in Leicester.

A Boohoo spokesperson said: “We opened Thurmaston Lane in January 2022 to support the group in several ways, including manufacturing, printing and training.

“As in any retail business, the role of our sites continues to evolve over time and, following significant investments at our Sheffield distribution centre and the opening of a new distribution centre in the USA, we must now take steps to continue to ensure we are a more efficient, productive and strengthened business.

“All these factors have led us to make the difficult decision to consider relocating some of the operations at Thurmaston Lane and consider the closure of the site in due course.

“We are now in a period of consultation and are working closely with all affected colleagues to ensure they are fully supported during this process.”

Boohoo said it had entered into a consultation with “less than 100” staff at the factory. The firm said it planned to keep its quality assurance and ethical compliance staff, currently based at the Thurmaston Lane site, elsewhere in Leicester.