50 Welsh jobs under threat at Trago Mills
RETAILER Trago Mills could cut more than 50 jobs at its flagship Merthyr Tydfil store as part of redundancy plans across its outlets in the face of a tough trading environment.
The proposed overall reduction in staff could also see 54 at its Liskeard store, 71 in Newtown Abbot and 22 in Falmouth. The company has entered into a consultation exercise with staff.
Earlier this year its chairman Bruce Robertson criticised the Welsh Government for a decision to not include larger retailers in Wales in a business rates holiday as part of a package of measures to support firms hit by the economic fallout of the pandemic.
In a divergence from England, long 100% business rate reliefs would not apply on commercial premises with rateable values of more than £500,000.
Speaking in May Mr Robertson, said the retailer could be forced to mothball its Merthyr store unless the Welsh Government performed a U-turn on its decision. The store employs around 250, with 53 roles under threat.
Mr Robertson said it would “break his heart” to take such drastic action, but the trading realities of what is a start-up business, having invested £65m to open the 200,000 sq ft store in businesses in Devon and Cornwall.
In a separate staff announcement, Trago has given further details on the trading difficulties faced by the company.
It highlighted no real increase in sales since a 6pm closing time was reinstated, adding that maintaining current staffing levels was not sus
“no choice” but to make some difficult decisions in order to safeguard as many jobs as possible, but aims to keep any redundancies as low as can be.
A Trago spokesman said: “We are not in a position to comment at the moment as the staff consultation period has only just opened. speculating about possible outcomes. Trago is no different to most other businesses insomuch as it has been unavoidably impacted by the pandemic.
“Full and transparent comment from Trago senior management will be made at the appropriate time.”