House of Fraser stand-off set to cost 300 jobs at XPO Logistics

A union has condemned XPO Logistics and Sports Direct, as the House of Fraser supply chain impasse looks set to cost 300 jobs.

According to the GMB union, XPO’s Milton Keynes depot, one of two that serves House of Fraser, is set to close.

House of Fraser was bought by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct last month after entering administration.

However a stand-off between Sports Direct and XPO – who run House of Fraser warehouses in Milton Keynes and Wellingborough – over a £30m debt has left more than 600 people across the two sites at risk of redundancy.

The resulting stoppage saw House of Fraser suspend its website and refund customer orders placed through it.

Read more

• House of Fraser and XPO Logistics still at an impasse, warns GMB
• XPO Logistics and House of Fraser supply chain standoff continues
• More than 600 jobs at risk at XPO Logistics as House of Fraser fallout continues

The GMB said members of staff at the affected depots were put on a 45-day consultation period on 17 August.

It claimed it had today (6 September) been informed that the Milton Keynes depot will close on 27 November.

Alan Costello, GMB Organiser, said: “GMB is disappointed by the fact that XPO and Sports Direct are clearly only interested in the stock in the warehouse.

“They couldn’t care less about our members or their livelihoods. This whole stand off – during which our members have been left in limbo – has been about commodities – not people.”

XPO Logistics was approached for comment.