Jobs at risk in Sandwell phones firm move plans

Dixons Carphone has unveiled a proposal to close its doors and relocate to Newark in Nottinghamshire.

Bosses said staff would be offered jobs at the new site – more than 80 miles from the distribution and repairs centre off Bilston Road.

Workers were informed yesterday and a formal consultation has been launched.

Bosses at the firm, which followed a merger between Carphone Warehouse and Currys Pc World last year, insist it is just a proposal at this stage and no final decision has been made.

However, it is anticipated that any relocation from the West Midlands will be completed by early next year, with some even saying the whole Wednesbury site could be closed by November.

Councillor Elaine Costigan said it would be a loss to the area and many workers would not be willing to up sticks and move to Newark.

"It is sad news for Wednesbury," she said. "We have got Lidl coming with 500 jobs but then we have now got the possibility of 500 jobs going.

"It is devastating and I just wish they would re-think the whole thing.

"The packages will have to be really good for staff to leave Wednesbury I think as a lot of them wouldn't want to leave their families.

"It is tragic really, all we can do is ask them and try and reconsider."

Dixons Carphone said the proposal comes following a review of the business but bosses said they acknowledged the 'knowledge and experience' of the workers in Wednesbury.

A statement from Dixons Carphone said: "As part of the on-going integration process, we have been reviewing our two Services divisions to find the best way to bring them together and create a single operating model that is efficient, sustainable and delivers for our customers.

"Following much consideration, our distribution and repair centre in Newark has been identified as the most appropriate location for our growing business and so we will now consult with colleagues about relocating our Wednesbury operations to this site. We recognise the wealth of knowledge and experience in our colleagues at Wednesbury and will be working very closely with everyone affected over the coming months to support them as we enter into consultations."