Sports Direct to close Wigan warehouse

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Apr 17, 2019

Sports Direct is to close its warehouse in Wigan in a move considered by some as a “blow for the North West”. Three hundred jobs are at risk of redundancy.

The retailer owned by Mike Ashley is understood to have exercised an option to leave its 10-year lease early. The site’s 300 workers, who package goods for nationwide distribution, were informed of the decision on Monday.

The warehouse is expected to close on 13 June, and a number of employees will be offered alternative work 80 miles away in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, reported the BBC.

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Sports Direct declined to comment on the decision, but the GMB union accused the retailer of putting profits before people.

“This closure is another body blow for the north-west – caused by a company with a track record of putting profits before people. The hardworking, dedicated staff at the warehouse have already been put through the grinder once when the site was run by [defunct sportswear brand] JJB - and now this,” commented GMB regional secretary Paul McCarthy.

“GMB will not rest until every member receives the redundancy pay they are legally entitled. Then we will discuss next steps.”