Jobs at risk as Co-op shuts Leicester sites

By Carol Millett

Central England Co-op is to close three warehouses in Leicester in a major restructuring of its distribution operation, putting 400 jobs at risk.

The society, which trades as Central Co-op, has more than 400 supermarkets, shops and funeral homes in the Midlands and East Anglia.

Central Co-op’s distribution operation, which is based in Scudamore Road, Leicester, has three warehouses on the Braunstone Frith Industrial Estate, including two food distribution centres totalling 120,000sq ft and a chilled distribution centre totalling 42,000sq ft.

Central Co-op’s distribution operation in Leicester will move to the LIDIA network – a national collective distribution and logistics operation, which is owned by Manchester-based Co-op Group and already serves more than 4,000 stores via 13 distribution centres.

Debbie Robinson, chief executive at Central Co-op, said the closure is a result of the business outgrowing its current distribution facilities in Leicester.

She said: “The commitment and experience of our distribution teams is amongst the best in the logistics industry and they do an amazing job.

“As we grow and invest in the society to support communities, we need to be ready for the future and we have now outgrown our current distribution facilities.”

She added: “I know this is going to be a difficult time for some of our colleagues and our priority will be supporting them and we are able to offer them alternative roles, either within Central Co-op or the LIDIA network.”