600 jobs threatened by B&Q shake-up

MORE than 600 jobs are under threat at a Cheshire depot after B&Q announced changes to its distribution network.

The DIY group wants to stop using centres operated by third parties including one at Preston Brook, near Runcorn, run by DHL. A further 400 staff are affected at sites in Coventry, Chepstow and Swindon.

Instead it plans to open a £77m depot in Swindon creating 550 jobs and another in Worksop employing 250 staff.

B&Q said the changes followed a review of its transport strategy and would reduce transport costs and improve customer service.

All the affected centres are run by DHL, Kuehne and Nagel, and Wincanton, which say they are consulting staff and will attempt to relocate them to other sites.

Some 30 jobs could go at a site in Middleton, Manchester, operated by Wincanton which lost a Tesco contract earlier in the year affecting 700 jobs.

A total of 1,030 staff will be affected by the changes which B&Q wants to implement in January. It expects to complete the reorganisation by January, 2012.