A union has raised issues over the way forward for its members who work in publish places of work working inside WH Smith outlets.
WH Smith is in talks over a possible sale of its Excessive Avenue shops because the enterprise has develop into extra targeted on its outlets in airports and repair and prepare stations.
This has raised questions over the way forward for 195 publish places of work housed inside the Excessive Avenue shops. The Communication Staff Union (CWU), which represents Submit Workplace employees within the outlets, warned any potential closures could be “devastating”.
A spokesman for the Submit Workplace informed the PJDM the corporate remained in touch with the retailer over its plans.
Since information of WH Smith’s potential Excessive Avenue shops sale emerged over the weekend, the PJDM has been contacted by many individuals asking concerning the destiny of publish places of work inside the shops.
WH Smith has mentioned its Excessive Avenue shops stay a “worthwhile and cash-generative a part of the group”, and it’s exploring numerous choices, “together with a potential sale”.
It added: “There will be no certainty that any settlement might be reached, and additional updates might be supplied as and when applicable.”
The PJDM understands the industrial relationship between each the retailer and the Submit Workplace is robust, with advantages for each events, subsequently any new potential purchaser may keep the present association.
The announcement comes amid a tough financial outlook for Excessive Avenue retailers.
The primary of WH Smith’s 500 shops opened greater than 230 years in the past, working as a information vendor. It has since grown into a serious Excessive Avenue and journey retailer.
The journey retail enterprise facet of WH Smith – which operates from airports, prepare stations and hospitals – now accounts for greater than 85% of its revenue and operates 1,200 shops throughout 32 international locations.
The Submit Workplace mentioned it had been in touch with WH Smith to “perceive extra about their plans for his or her Excessive Avenue shops”.
A CWU spokesperson mentioned any potential closures could be “devastating, however they’re sadly all too predictable”.
“For much too lengthy, sure communities are being changed into postal deserts, and dangerous financial choices are eroding Excessive Streets up and down the nation,” the union mentioned.
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, 2025-01-27 13:59:00
