93 jobs at risk after parcel firm Yodel announces plans to s

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MORE than 90 jobs are at risk after a parcel delivery firm announced plans to close its Stoke-on-Trent depot.

Yodel has unveiled proposals to shut 45 of its 102 service centres, including its site at City Road in Fenton which was formerly known as DHL.

A spokesman for the firm said the closure, which is likely to take place during the first three months of 2012, would put 93 jobs at risk.

He said: "Yodel is proposing to close the Stoke-on-Trent service centre during the first quarter of 2012. This will put approximately 93 employees at risk of redundancy.

"Yodel is working closely with colleagues across the business to ensure a smooth transition and to make sure that all of our colleagues are fully informed and presented with all the relevant options available to them."

Yodel was formed last year when Home Delivery Network (HDNL) bought DHL Express's UK domestic business-to-business-to-consumer division via its subsidiary Parcelpoint.

Yodel said the closures are part of a restructuring programme aimed at transforming the two previous networks to a single operating platform, which will allow the company to operate profitably and deliver faster, more flexible delivery options.

Jonathan Smith, chief executive of the Liverpool-based firm, added: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly.

"We have to make these changes to meet the needs of our customers and create a sustainable and profitable business model. We have been running two operational networks since early 2010 with limited flexibility, and have now concluded the planning to move to one operation." Fenton ward councillor Paul Shotton said job creation is one of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's top priorities.

He said: "I'm very concerned to hear we are going to have job losses at the depot. It's a bleak time for those involved.

"There's a need for all types of jobs, across the spectrum in this city and I would reassure those people who are being made redundant and who are out of work, we are doing as much as we possibly can to create new jobs.

"That has formed the basis of the council's Mandate for Change to improve our city's economy. At the same time, it is difficult because, due to Government cuts, we will have to face further job losses ourselves.

"But we are investing in job creation, enabling new businesses to set up, helping existing businesses to grow and providing training opportunities."