Jobs to go at Marshalls as trading conditions become more challenging

Thirty jobs are to go at Marshalls as the company reveal trading conditions have become even more challenging.

I first got wind via an anonymous source before the weekend that there would be more redundancies. My source claimed up to sixty jobs would go - a figure refuted by a company spokesman.

Speaking to a company spokesman yesterday I was told that four members of staff left the sales team last week and management have opened a period of negotiation with union representatives at their West Lane site.

The job losses represent just over 1% of Marshalls' workforce.

Late last night Marshalls issued a statement stating:

Consumer demand is currently significantly reduced from previous levels; the consumer confidence index is sitting at -29%, whilst the index which tracks major consumer purchases is currently 6% lower than it was in May last year.

Site Manager Jon Wilson said: “It’s no secret that market conditions are tough at the moment; consumer confidence is low and people simply aren’t spending at previous levels.

“Earlier this year, we had a very positive dialogue with our workforce and their representatives and agreed some important changes to the way we operate and to working practices. Since then, conditions have become even more challenging and it’s important for us to react appropriately to the situation, so that there’s a match between our activity, capability and the needs of the market.

“We’re currently in consultation with Union and employee representatives at the West Lane site to examine those options which will help us protect as many jobs as practically possible, whilst still remaining competitive in the current market conditions.”

A company spokesman said:

With regards to the commercial office, four people sadly left the sales team last week, it's very regrettable but very small in the scale of the operation.

As you would expect we are doing everything we can to help individuals find alternative positions including specialist support.

I don't want to ever down play any redundancies but the changes are very minor and just normal business changes.

Read the Marshalls statement here.