62 jobs to go at sports retailer WiggleCRC in Ballyclare near Co. Antrim

By Q Radio News.

62 jobs are expected to go at the sports retailer WiggleCRC from its warehouse and bike builders site at Whitepark near Ballyclare in County Antrim.

The company says the consultation period into its operations are necessary to improve efficiency, reduce customer lead times and reduce the Group’s environmental impact

A final decision on the redundancies will be made later this year.

In response, a company spokesperson said: "The Group is committed to its staff and will look to relocate as many employees as possible, with all staff at the Whitepark site being offered the opportunity to relocate to the Group’s Citadel site in Wolverhampton or to apply for alternative suitable positions elsewhere in the Group’s Northern Ireland operations.

"In addition, the Group will be outlining the support which will be put in place for those who are unable to be relocated in order to help employees find alternative job roles.

"This will include working with the Department for the Economy’s Careers Service to help provide any affected employees with advice and guidance on new employment and training opportunities.

Speaking about the plans, Simon Downie, Director of Distribution at WiggleCRC said: “We’re currently undergoing a consultation period to review if the operations from our Whitepark warehouse in County Antrim will be consolidated with our Citadel warehouse in Wolverhampton.

"This decision isn’t taken lightly, and we are currently undergoing a consultation period with all employees who could be impacted if the plans were to proceed.

“Our team is of the upmost importance to us and if the proposed plans are approved our ambition is to ensure as few job losses as possible.

"We would offer the opportunity for all staff to relocate to our Wolverhampton site and, where it is not possible for employees to relocate, we’re ensuring we give them all the support we can to find a new position.

“The proposed plans have arisen to allow us to increase efficiencies in the business which will improve our customers’ experience. The proposed plans are still in consultation period and no decisions will be finalised until the end of October at the earliest.

“Northern Ireland remains an important part of the WiggleCRC Group and the proposed plans to consolidate the warehouse and bike build operations will not impact our wider operations in Northern Ireland or the Group’s long-term ambitions for the Chain Reaction Cycles brand.”

WiggleCRC confirms no customers will be impacted by the consultation period or if the proposed plans go ahead. The Group will ensure the consolidation takes places over a phased period and all customers will still receive their orders within the usual timeline.