Retail wholesale and distribution firm Palmer & Harvey will make 85 staff redundant and implement a 2010 pay freeze following the "demise of a number of customers" during the recession.
Employees at the East Sussex-based company agreed on 3 March to accept new terms and conditions, including a pay freeze this year and changes to bereavement leave, in order to counteract the need for more redundancies.
A joint statement from Palmer & Harvey and trade union USDAW states: "The recession has seen the unfortunate demise of a number of customers, including First Quench, Wine Cellar, Borders (UK) and many independent retailers.
"Unfortunately, this situation has been further compounded by the decision of WH Smith and Somerfield, the latter now owned by the Co-operative Group, to take their distribution in-house, and the loss of the One Stop contract."
The firm says 85 redundancies are expected as a result of the reduction in volumes, but the company will try and redeploy where possible.
Irene Radigan, national officer USDAW, adds: "USDAW believes that Palmer & Harvey has satisfactory plans in place to ensure future business growth."
The company also pointed out it had created 150 roles in the past 12 months in its Sweetdirect operation.
Year: 2019 | Body Type: Tractor unit | Cab Type: Sleeper | Registration: PF19YKP | Mileage: 762,729 km | Power: 460 bhp
