400 jobs at risk in Waitrose move

More than 400 jobs are at risk at a grocery distribution centre as Waitrose has decided not to renew one of its contracts.

A total of 420 staff are employed at the centre in Bardon, Leicestershire.

Waitrose owns the lease but the workers are employed by global logistics company Kuehne + Nagel which said it is now consulting with staff.

A spokeswoman for Kuehne + Nagel said: "We are in consultation with staff and for that reason I am unable to comment on the matter further."

Waitrose said it took the decision not to renew the contract because it has increased space at other bases in Kent, Berkshire and Milton Keynes.

"We have been building capacity in our supply chain across the country in recent times to meet the needs of our growing branch network," a spokeswoman for Waitrose said.

"We've added space in our distribution centre in Aylesford in Kent, a new chilled warehouse in Bracknell, Berkshire and increased fresh food capacity at Brinklow distribution centre in Milton Keynes. We've also opened a new non-food facility in Milton Keynes.

"As part of this development we have taken the decision not to renew our contract with Kuehne + Nagel at the Bardon regional distribution centre."