HUNDREDS of workers are losing their jobs after The Range announced the closure of its Mitcheldean distribution centre.
The home and garden specialist, part of DHL Supply Chain, will shut its warehouse at Vantage Point in September and move the operation to a site near Doncaster, with the loss of 300 jobs.
Staff will have a consultation period and some could be offered roles elsewhere in the South West by the Plymouth-based company.
Villager and parish councillor Andrew Maliphant worked there on a temporary contract for most of last year and said the move would come as no surprise to staff.
"We knew they were building a new warehouse when I was there so there has been speculation for a long time," he said. "Almost all of the staff are temporary but it's a big loss for that kind of work – working there while you're looking for something else is a lot better than being on the dole, so what will those people do now? But if they are still retaining a presence in the South West, it begs the question why they feel the need to leave Mitcheldean and the Forest of Dean."
The Range has been at Vantage Point for almost a decade, occupying a unit left vacant when Xerox left.
Ward councillor Ian Whitburn (I, Mitcheldean and Drybrook) said: "It's devastating news, it must be one of the biggest employers in the district. I think most of the staff there are temporary employees so they get them in when they're needed but it's a massive loss – there's an awful lot of people employed there."
A DHL Supply Chain spokesman said: "Following a strategic review of its UK network to seek greater efficiencies, The Range is proposing to transfer its warehousing operations currently based at Mitcheldean, to a site at Thorne near Doncaster, operated by DHL. Outplacement support will be provided for staff unable to relocate or seeking vacancies outside both organisations.
"Both The Range and DHL thank the team at Mitcheldean for their understanding at this difficult time and stress that this decision in no way reflects on the quality of work at the site."
