Brintons carpets could cut further 150 jobs

A Worcestershire-based carpet firm could axe 150 jobs as part of an ongoing cost-cutting programme.

A spokesman for Brintons Carpets in Kidderminster said a consultation had been launched and the cuts could affect its sites in the UK and China.

Gavin Miller from Community Trade Union said: "It's not news that we welcome, it will have a big impact."

The firm employs about 1,700 people globally, with 630 in the UK including sites in Kidderminster and Shropshire.

Brintons Carpets was bought out by the Carlyle Group in September last year in a £40m deal to secure its future.

Until its sale, Brintons, with a site in Telford, had been in the hands of the same family for more than 200 years.

'Regrettable but necessary'

In October, the firm cut 70 Kidderminster-based jobs.

The company's spokesman said: "These steps are regrettable but necessary in order to maintain the company's traditionally strong position in the market and enable it to compete effectively in the future."

He said the unions would be "very much involved" in the consultation process.

Mr Miller said: "There are 40 temporary jobs in the UK that we think are seriously under threat.

"Carpets are [part of] Kidderminster and we've got to fight to keep that in the town."