A union has raised issues over the way forward for its participants who paintings in submit workplaces working inside of WH Smith retail outlets.
WH Smith is in talks over a possible sale of its Top Boulevard shops because the industry has transform extra taken with its retail outlets in airports and repair and teach stations.
This has raised questions over the way forward for 195 submit workplaces housed throughout the Top Boulevard shops. The Conversation Staff Union (CWU), which represents Put up Workplace body of workers within the retail outlets, warned any doable closures could be “devastating”.
A spokesman for the Put up Workplace instructed the BBC the corporate remained in touch with the store over its plans.
Since information of WH Smith’s doable Top Boulevard shops sale emerged over the weekend, the BBC has been contacted through many of us asking in regards to the destiny of submit workplaces throughout the shops.
WH Smith has stated its Top Boulevard shops stay a “winning and cash-generative a part of the gang”, and it’s exploring more than a few choices, “together with a conceivable sale”.
It added: “There may also be no sure bet that any settlement will likely be reached, and extra updates will likely be equipped as and when suitable.”
The BBC understands the industrial courting between each the store and the Put up Workplace is robust, with advantages for each events, due to this fact any new doable purchaser may care for the present association.
The announcement comes amid a hard financial outlook for Top Boulevard shops.
The primary of WH Smith’s 500 shops opened greater than 230 years in the past, working as a information seller. It has since grown into a significant Top Boulevard and trip store.
The trip retail industry facet of WH Smith – which operates from airports, teach stations and hospitals – now accounts for greater than 85% of its benefit and operates 1,200 shops throughout 32 nations.
The Put up Workplace stated it have been in touch with WH Smith to “perceive extra about their plans for his or her Top Boulevard shops”.
A CWU spokesperson stated any doable closures could be “devastating, however they’re unfortunately all too predictable”.
“For a ways too lengthy, positive communities are being changed into postal deserts, and dangerous financial choices are eroding Top Streets up and down the rustic,” the union stated.
