Leeds distribution centre to close with 400 jobs lost after Arcadia collapse
A distribution centre in Leeds is to close with the loss of 400 jobs following the collapse of the Arcadia fashion empire, a union said on Thursday night.
The GMB said the former Burton factory in Burmantofts has been in operation since 1922, most recently as a distribution centre for Arcadia stores including Dorothy Perkins and Burton.
Despite Boohoo’s purchase of the Burton brand, the facility now looks set to close, said the union.
A consultation period will begin on February 24, ending on April 30 when the site will shut its doors for good, according to the GMB.
Union official Jake O’Malley said: “A century of history and hundreds of good jobs down the pan, while Philip Green is living it up on his private yacht and the administrators pick the bones of the business clean.
“GMB will fight tooth and nail to make sure workers get what they deserve from this mess.”
Thousands of staff face redundancy after Deloitte, administrators for Arcadia, sold the retail group’s brands and stock but confirmed its entire store portfolio is set to shut.
The insolvency specialists said around 2,500 jobs would go as a result of the sale of the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands to Asos.
Deloitte said another 2,450 staff have been told that their jobs will be axed after Boohoo bought Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton for £25.2 million but would close all stores.