100 jobs could be lost when Telford store closes
More than 100 jobs could be lost when a homes and gardens store in Telford closes next month. The Range, which opened in Telford Town Centre in 2008, is to close on May 2. More than 100 jobs could be lost when a homes and gardens store in Telford closes next month. The Range, which opened in Telford Town Centre in 2008, is to close on May 2. It comes after the company decided not to renew the lease on the building, which expires on that date. Signs appeared outside the store over the weekend warning customers of the move and advising them of other nearby Range stores in Shrewsbury and Kidderminster.
MORE THAN 100 jobs could be lost when a homes and gardens centre in Telford closes next month.
The Range, which opened in Telford Shopping Centre in 2008, is to close on May 2 after the company decided not to renew the lease on the building. Signs appeared outside the store over the weekend warning customers of the move, and advising them of other nearby Range stores in Shrewsbury and Kidderminster.
Some neighbouring branches could also accommodate some of the shop workers from Telford, with around 25 of the approximately 150 people who work in Telford expected to make a move to stores nearby.
However, a further 25 staff are expected to lose their jobs, and the remainder, who were on temporary contracts, will not have their positions renewed.
A spokeswoman for The Range management said: "It was a temporary lease. That contract has come to an end and we have not carried on with it.
"We have opened up recently in Shrewsbury and will still be in the area. We are always looking for new store sites."
The spokeswoman added that the firm was continuing to open new stores, and that a branch in Lincoln is due to open at the end of next month.
She said: "We are trying to move staff to Shrewsbury or Kidderminster, or to other positions within the company, and our HR department have been trying to relocate people wherever possible.
"However, we took that lease on a temporary contract and a number of the staff were also on fixed term contracts."
The spokeswoman said: "We are looking at relocating around 25 staff, and I believe around 25 other (permanent) staff are going to be affected."
The company invested £1.5 million into the store opening when it moved to Telford, transforming the former Focus DIY site at Telford Shopping Centre.
The opening of the Shrewsbury store last month also created 150 new positions, some of which will be used to house the former Telford staff.
It was personally opened by The Range's millionaire owner Chris Dawson and Miss Galaxy Wales Jamie-Lee Williams.
By Business Editor Thom Kennedy