Jobs at risk at Ikea Peterborough distribution centre

More than 100 jobs at an Ikea distribution centre in Cambridgeshire will be affected under plans to move part of its operations to Yorkshire.

The Peterborough centre was dealing with fewer deliveries because suppliers dealt direct with customers, Ikea said.

Re-stocking goods at Ikea stores could be dealt with by a larger distribution centre in Doncaster by May 2011.

Ikea said staff would be offered roles at Doncaster, with 52 potential job losses at Peterborough.

The centre opened eight years ago and employs 236 people, 65 of whom work in store distribution.

"This proposal remains at a formative stage with 111 Ikea co-workers affected and will be subject to extensive consultation with the appropriate site representatives," a spokesman said.

"We aim to secure jobs for our affected co-workers at the retail contact centre in Peterborough or outside of Ikea," the spokesman added.

Ikea said it was identifying sites for stores in the east of England but would not reveal any further details.