Bunnings to close seven stores
Bunnings Warehouse is proposing the closure of seven stores, affecting 145 staff, it announced yesterday afternoon.
Stores earmarked for closure include the Ashburton Warehouse, the Hornby and Hastings Trade Centres and four smaller format stores Cambridge, Rangiora, Te Awamutu and Putaruru.
The announcement comes after a ‘‘network review’’ and due to the ‘‘challenges of the recent trading environment,’’ the retailer said.
The company had informed staff of the proposal.
First Union organiser Kirstin Miller said affected workers were in shock as the news had come ‘‘out of the blue’’.
‘‘It’s an awful thing to be going through particularly right now when other employment options are going to be pretty far and few between,’’ she said.
There was a feeling among staff that the decision to close the stores had already been made, and labelling them ‘‘proposed closures’’ was a way of going through the motions of a consultation process.
‘‘It’s certainly what Bunnings have done in the past so there is reason for them to feel that way,’’ Miller said.
The Bunnings statement said other factors beyond the lockdown had contributed to the decision, including lease arrangements, individual store performance and the suitability of locations. Some of the stores were always intended to be temporary.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said his heart went out to the 21 staff affected by the closure of the Rangiora store, which opened its doors two years ago.
‘‘Unfortunately, we are likely to see more of this,’’ he said.
‘‘I know from working with our businesses over the past few weeks that the impacts of Covid-19 have included businesses closures, income losses and unemployment.
‘‘There are going to be people in our community who will need our support.’’
A review late last year saw Bunnings close three smaller format stores at Te Aroha, Waikanae and Paeroa.
Consultation with staff at affected stores will now begin. Pending the outcome of the consultation period, the seven stores would close by the end of June, with customers to be redirected to their nearest alternative
Bunnings New Zealand director, Jacqui Coombes, said: ‘‘Our absolute priority is the welfare of the 145 affected team members. This news is understandably upsetting and we will be working closely with our team during the consultation period to discuss their individual circumstances, including redeployment to other stores if possible.