A MIDDLEWICH councillor says he is surprised and disappointed that B&M warehouse workers are facing possible redundancy.

Staff at the distribution centre, in MA6NITUDE, were told about the possible redundancies last week.

The number of jobs at risk is yet to be confirmed.

The Guardian understands the proposals are subject to change during the consultation period, and have already done so since it began.

Cllr Jonathan Parry, Labour Cheshire East Council member for Middlewich, told the Guardian he is surprised at the news given how busy B&M stores currently are in the pandemic – and is disappointed for workers that could be losing their jobs at an uncertain time.

He said: “I am very disappointed by B&M. I would love to see the reasons behind it and I sympathise with any workers that lose their jobs at this time.

Northwich Guardian:

“I have been to the B&M in Sandbach and from what I could see they are getting more business than they would normally get – it seems they are one of the few businesses that are benefitting from lockdown.

“It is an immense shock that they are considering laying off workers from the warehouse.

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“When potentially this business is profiting out of lockdown it should be doing all it can to protect jobs and not make redundancies. These people are going to struggle to get another job at this time and they are going to be put in difficulty.”

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) has confirmed it is in talks with B&M over the situation.

A spokesman at Usdaw said: “Usdaw continues in ongoing consultation talks about possible redundancies at B&M’s Middlewich warehouse.”

B&M declined to comment or provide further clarification following several requests from the Guardian.