Almost 500 jobs at risk as healthcare wholesaler proposes site closures
A healthcare products wholesaler is placing 490 jobs at risk as it looks to restructure its distribution network.
Alliance Healthcare is proposing to close two Midlands distribution centres: one on the Boots Nottingham estate, causing up to around 150 job losses and another on a site in Hinckley. It’s also looking to cut 110 jobs at its South Normanton centre.
If plans go ahead, there will be up to 490 jobs at risk across the three affected sites.
Alliance has said it is opening a central logistics hub in Birmingham and plans to close the Hinckley and Nottingham centres and move medical lines from South Normanton to the hub in 2026.
Usdaw is the trade union that represents Alliance Healthcare workers at the company’s Nottingham site.
Darren Matthews, Usdaw National Officer said: “There could be around 150 job losses at the D80 site in Nottingham, if it closes, where Usdaw represents staff. The company proposes the closure in the summer of 2026 and says it is a result of the restructuring of its network of sites, as some are old and costly to automate and to modernise. The business is looking to move work to an existing facility in Birmingham.
“This is devastating news for the staff impacted and we will now enter into a consultation process, where we will question their business case for these proposals. We expect the consultation to start as a matter of urgency. In the meantime, we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this very difficult time.”
An Alliance Healthcare spokesperson said: “Alliance Healthcare UK is making significant investments across its network — including opening a new Central Logistics Centre (CLC) in Birmingham — to strengthen its supply chain solutions and operations, enabling the company to deliver enhanced customer service.
“As part of a continued focus on aligning its capabilities with customers’ evolving needs, Alliance Healthcare UK plans to close its service centres in Hinckley and Nottingham and transition slow moving medical lines from South Normanton SC to the CLC in 2026. This decision was not made lightly. The company greatly appreciates the contributions of the impacted team members and is committed to providing support to individuals impacted by these changes.”
