By Somerset Standard | Posted: January 25, 2014
A Frome parcel delivery service will close in March with about 30 jobs under threat.
UK Mail, based on the Vallis Mill Trading Estate, has been run as a franchise for the past 20 years by Martin Ward and his wife Carmel.
The couple will retire in March but had wanted to sell the business, safeguarding jobs, but UK Mail said it no longer takes part in a franchise scheme and will take the business back into its corporate stream.
The jobs will be transferred to depots in Bristol, Swindon and Poole, but the fear is that the distance will prevent drivers from taking the roles, leaving them no other option than redundancy.
Mr Ward said he would like to thank all his staff for their hard work and dedication.
He said: "We are extremely grateful to the staff, some who have been with us for those 20 years, their consistency and hard work is much appreciated. We are just disappointed that we could not sell the business and fear most of the staff will be made redundant because of the distance they will now have to travel for work."
A UK Mail spokeswoman confirmed the Frome depot would close.
She said: "UK Mail confirms that its Bath depot located in Frome will be closing in March 2014. The site in Frome operates as a franchise and the franchise agreement is due for renewal on March 25. The property lease also terminates on the same day.
"Martin Ward, franchisee of the Bath depot, made a decision not to renew his franchise agreement as he wishes to retire. Therefore, UK Mail has decided to close the depot and collections and deliveries will be carried out by various other UK Mail locations from March 22.
"Employees are able to apply for vacancies at other UK Mail locations."
Read more: http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/Jobs-threat-closure-mail-depot/story-20482286-detail/story.html#ixzz2rPokjLuu
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