Workers axed in Willenhall Hooty's takeover

Hooty's, which closed in December after 50 years, will be taken over by home furnishing chain The Range, and the firm announced more than 100 jobs had been saved.

But former part-time trolley assistant Maurice Owen said he believed he was one of more than 30 people who were made redundant after Hooty's closed its doors.

The 61-year-old, of Central Drive, Bilston, said he had worked at Hooty's for more than three years.

Mr Owen, who is now looking for work again, said: "I was told on a Thursday in January and was finished by the Monday.

"I was told my job didn't exist any more. I was shocked. I'll be 62 this year and just wanted the job for another few years.

"The whole process was very sudden. We didn't have an inkling anything was happening until November.

"All in all, I believe some 30-odd staff have lost their jobs."

He said he believed those who were made redundant had also worked as office, security, warehouse and waste disposal staff.

The Range confirmed that a number of jobs had been lost when Hooty's closed.

The company plans to reopen the store at Longacres Industrial Estate, Rose Hill, on April 11.

A multi-million pound refurbishment is under way to transform the 70,000 sq ft site into a new store with a garden centre and coffee shop.

A spokesperson for The Range said: "When The Range took over the site in Willenhall 108 staff transferred over, all of whom have been temporarily redeployed into roles in neighbouring stores while the refit is taking place.

"There where roles that simply did not exist or where not available within The Range store, and because of this with regret a number of people were made redundant."

The new store will be the 88th Range store in the UK and the third to open in 2014.

Shoppers spoke of their sadness when Hooty's closed, saying it had become popular for its wide range of stock.