NEXT confirms planned closure of Bradford warehouse

NEXT is planning to close its warehouse in Bradford, putting 780 local jobs at risk.

The high street retailer intends to shut the site on Toftshaw Lane by September 2024, as it plans to consolidate its returns processing operation into a new online fulfilment facility being developed in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire.

The move is expected to improve NEXT's stock availability, as well as lower its environmental impact by cutting the number of lorry journeys, approximately 40 trips per day, required to transfer stock between Toftshaw Lane and Elmsall.

It also comes as the Bradford site needs "significant" maintenance and investment, with the option of carrying out required roof repairs to come at considerable cost.

Claire Hopkins, Director of Warehousing & Distribution, said: "It is with sadness that we announce the proposed closure of our warehouse at Toftshaw Lane in Bradford.

"We anticipate that we will have sufficient vacancies to accommodate everyone who would like to relocate to employment at our other sites. However, we also recognise that some employees will be unable to relocate and their role may become redundant.

"We will therefore assist in helping employees find roles outside of NEXT, which will include the provision of an on-site ‘job shop’ where we will support employees with skills such as interviewing and CV writing, as well as inviting onto site local employers who are actively recruiting."

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) said it has entered consultation talks with NEXT over the planned closure.

Mark Todd, Usdaw National Officer, said: “NEXT management have briefed staff about the proposed closure of its Bradford site and development of a new operation at South Elmsall.

"Myself and Usdaw reps will now enter into a meaningful consultation talks, where we will have the opportunity to look at the company’s business case.

"Our priorities are to secure the best available deal for those impacted by these proposals and keep as many staff as possible employed within the business and where necessary support members securing alternative employment.

"In the meantime, we are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need at this difficult time.”

Usdaw is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.

The news comes after NEXT recently raised its full-year profit guidance for the fourth time this year after better than expected sales, despite unusually warm weather affecting demand for autumn ranges.