200 jobs lost as sports retail giant closes Derby distribution centre

Some 200 people have lost their jobs after it was revealed that retail giant JD Sports swung the axe on its Derby distribution site late last week.

Staff were told on Friday (September 6) that they would be no longer needed after the weekend, it has emerged.

JD launched a consultation on the future of the site in July.

The 514,000 sq ft warehouse only opened three years ago, around the end of the second lockdown when last-mile logistics space was in high demand.

JD Sports signed a 20-year lease for the site at Derby Commercial Park at the time.

A spokesperson for JD Sports said: ““We have made the difficult decision to close our Derby distribution centre and are working with all those affected to ensure they are fully supported through this challenging period.”

JD also operates a large distribution centre in Rochdale, which is close to the company’s head office in Bury, and is unaffected by the uncertainty at its East Midlands site.