700 jobs set to change at Co-operative Group DCs
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APPROXIMATELY 700 EMPLOYEES at the Co-operative Group’s DCs in Portbury, Bristol and Wellington, Somerset, face a period of uncertainty as the supermarket chain kicks off plans to consolidate the two sites’ operations into a new £20m Avonmouth RDC.
The new 435,750ft2 RDC will be operated by Norbert Dentressangle and will serve stores in Bristol, north Somerset and south Wales. It forms part of the Co-op’s network review following the takeover of the Somerfield chain in 2009.
Avonmouth is due to open in September, with a phased transfer of operations from several smaller DCs in the region, including Portbury and Wellington. Wincanton runs the Portbury site, with 334 employees set to transfer to Avonmouth under TUPE regula tions. A Wincanton spokeswoman says staff are undergoing a 90-day consultation period and, should the proposal go ahead, the transfer will start early next year. About 340 staff at the Wellington site are encouraged to take up employment at Avonmouth.
Union Unite says it will raise the matter with Labour MPs.
• Wincanton has beaten rivals to win a five-year contract with Asda to operate the supermarket’s new North West DC in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, which will see the creation of about 400 jobs when it opens in September.