Whitbread: j ob losses
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by Gail Ashton • Whitbread is to close its Marlow, Bucks, distribution depot at the end of April with the loss of 68 jobs.
The closure is part of an overhaul of the brewery giant's distribution operation in the South-East which will create 20 extra jobs at its Dunstable depot.
Among the workers being made redundant at Marlow are 25 drivers, along with warehousing and other delivery staff. They will be encouraged to apply for jobs at Dunstable which is home to 16 vehicles, mainly low-loaders.
Most of the distribution work from Marlow will move to Dunstable; the rest will go to depots at Barnwood, Glos and Hedge End in Southampton.
Andy Frampton, district officer for the Transport and General Workers Union which represents staff at Marlow, is seeking an urgent meeting with the company to discuss the planned closure.
Whitbread's regional distribution manager for the South-East, Allan Clark, says the closure has been caused by a number of factors, including improved road links.
Whitbread is also shutting the Exchange brewery in Sheffield and cutting 67 jobs at its Luton headquarters: the restructuring is designed to boost productivity