Online retailer in talks over job losses, says union

Studio Retail started as a catalogue gift retailer but later expanded online to sell clothes, home and electrical products

An online retailer with offices and warehouses across Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester is proposing to make a series of redundancies, a union has said.

Retail union Usdaw said it had been briefed by Studio Retail about plans to restructure the business.

The company started as a catalogue gift retailer but later expanded online to sell clothes, home and electrical products on flexible payment terms.

Usdaw said the changes could include job losses and closures at its sites in Accrington, Trafford and Widnes in what it described as "devastating news" for staff.

'Concerning news'

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, said the proposals were concerning as it is a major employer.

The Fraser Group, which owns Studio Retail, has declined comment.

Usdaw said the company was proposing to reduce the overall number of staff at its Accrington warehouse.

It plans to "integrate the operations at its Widness warehouse into the Accrington facility", which could result in the permanent closure of the Widnes warehouse.

It is also proposing to close the Trafford office, "moving the functions to the Clayton office in Lancashire and Fraser's Academy House based in London", the union said.

Usdaw area organiser Julia Baldwin said: “Studio Retail’s proposal of further redundancies at the Accrington site and the possible closure of the Widnes warehouse and Trafford office is devastating news all staff.

"After many recent operational changes within the business, this further restructuring leaves staff in a very uncertain position and worried for their future."

The union said it was working with the company to "identify suitable alternative roles to maximise the number of staff retained in employment".

MP Ms Britcliffe said she was working to find out how many jobs will be lost in the restructure.

“I understand this news will be concerning for local people," she said.

“In 2022, when there were discussion about Studio Retail going into administration, I worked to help save over 1,000 jobs.

“We are seeking clarification from the Fraser Group."

The home shopping business was bought out of administration by Fraser Group for £26.8m in 2022.