400 jobs at risk after Waitrose ends distribution deal

Waitrose has decided to stop using a distribution centre in Leicestershire after building up capacity elsewhere.

The supermarket’s contract with the Kuehne & Nagel-owned centre in Bardon will come to an end in September, putting over 400 jobs at risk.

It said the expansion of its distribution capacity in recent years meant that the Bardon centre was no longer needed.

“We’ve added space in our distribution centre in Aylesford in Kent, a new chilled warehouse in Bracknell, Berkshire and increased fresh food capacity at Brinklow distribution centre in Milton Keynes. We’ve also opened the new Celestia non-food facility in Milton Keynes,” said a Waitrose spokeswoman. 

“Our relationship with Kuehne + Nagel  – a valued and established supplier - continues at a number of other distribution sites namely Theale in Berkshire and Celestia and Brinklow in Milton Keynes.”