B&M under fire over Christmas job cuts
LIVERPOOL-based discount retailer B&M has come under fire after 11 people at a newly-opened store have been told they will lose their jobs on Christmas Eve – less than a month after being hired.
The 11 employees at B&M in Pwllheli in North Wales were given permanent contracts but have been told they must go tomorrow (Saturday December 24), along with an additional 11 people on temporary contracts at the Lower Cardiff Road store.
B&M bosses trumpeted the news it was creating 30 jobs for local people when the store opened on November 23, but have now said they are “unable to maintain such a significant headcount”.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has criticised the store’s ‘disappointing’ decision and said real people’s lives are being affected by a “miscalculation on their behalf.”
Roberts, who saud she would be contacting B&M following the revelations, said in the Daily Post North Wales: “These staff members had great hopes for their employment prospects when the store opened a month ago, so to have them dashed just before Christmas is disappointing.
“I will be contacting B&M to ask why this has happened because it appears they have anticipated more turnover than they’ve had.
“Real people’s lives are being affected by a miscalculation on their behalf.
“You can’t treat people as if they’re dispensable like machinery.”
B&M moved into the building in October and the site was given a complete refurbishment. The shop retained 20 members of staff from the previous employer.
In November, listed B&M hailed strong growth in both the UK and Germany as group adjusted EBITDA increased by 14.6% to £99.2m and adjusted profit before tax increased by 17.2% to £77.9m for the half year to September 24.
A B&M spokeswoman said: “Eleven colleagues will be affected by the job losses.
“There are an additional 11 people on temporary Christmas contracts who were due to finish on Christmas Eve.
“When we opened the store, we were able to add to the current Co-Op team and create new job roles for people who were previously unemployed.
“Unfortunately, we’re unable to maintain such a significant head count at the moment so have had to let some people go.
“We hope the experience, skills and training they’ve received as part of the B&M team will help them to secure a new job in the future.
“We currently have two roles in another store that these colleagues have been made aware of.
“Should any new roles within the company become available, these people will be given first refusal.”
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