Jobs lost as garden firm leaves King’s Lynn and moves to Daventry
The Gardman site on the Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt
More than 100 jobs are set to be lost when a garden supply company ups sticks to a new warehouse.
The Gardman site on the Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt
Gardman, which sells garden furniture, tools and bird feeders, has told employees at its two sites in King's Lynn that it plans to relocate to purpose-built premises in Daventry, Northants.
Workers are being offered relocation packages to the new site or can apply for vacancies at the firm's head office in Peterborough.
Gardman says its premises in West Lynn and on the Hardwick Narrows, which employ 150, will close the the end of the year.
In a statement, the firm said: 'Our current warehouse facilities are ageing, inefficient to run and do not have the capacity to support the current business needs nor accommodate the future growth aspirations of the business.
The Gardman site on the Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Ian Burt
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'The review considered various options which included new warehousing within the Kings Lynn area but was unable to identify suitable alternative sites. 'A Daventry location will enable Gardman to work more efficiently due to being based closer to its customers. The new facility is due to be handed over in the third quarter of 2017 and will be fully operational by end of the year. The head office facility will remain in Peterborough.
'Moving the operation to new facilities will enable the company to progress with its business plans for further growth whilst improving service to customers.'
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The firm asaid the move placed all jobs based at its warehousing locations will at risk of redundancy. But it added there would be opportunities for employees to relocate to the new facility or be considered for any vacant roles within the Peterborough head office.
Gardman chief executive Peter Utting said: 'In the current market of increasing customer demands we continually re-evaluate our supply chain and service proposition.
'Therefore, we have taken the decision to relocate our warehouse operations to a purpose built, centrally based, environmentally friendly site.
'This decision has not been taken lightly and is obviously an unsettling time for those affected.
'The Kings Lynn team have consistently shown their dedication and commitment and we will support all affected employees through the transition.'
