The major employers making redundancies that could impact Hull jobs

Figures suggest thousands of people across the UK have already lost their jobs as the nation’s economy is hit by the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of workers on payrolls fell by 649,000 between March and June, with 74,000 losing their jobs last month.

Across East Yorkshire many businesses are making huge changes to their work force as they restructure to deal with the effects of the crisis.

Many redundancies have been announced since the start of lockdown in March but the job losses have continued to pile up over the last couple of weeks.

And with the furlough scheme set to end in October it is a trend that is unfortunately likely to continue during 2020.

Hull Live has taken a look at some of the businesses which have announced changes to their workforce as they attempt to navigate the hostile economic climate.

Here are just some of the ones with bases in our region.

P&O Ferries

The company confirmed in May, that over a thousand P&O Ferries staff members would be made redundant.

Around 1,100 jobs would be cut as the company planned to make the business “viable and sustainable”. Read the full story here.

Travis Perkins

Last month, around 2,500 workers were told they could lose their jobs at builders’ merchant Travis Perkins.

The company, which also owns Toolstation and Wickes, said the decision comes as it expects the recession to hit the trade for at least two years.

Bosses plan to close 165 stores – mainly focusing on smaller Travis Perkins sites. Read the full story here.

Zizzi and Ask

The owner of Ask Italian and Zizzi pizza chains will not reopen around 75 of its restaurants following the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in the loss of up to 1,200 jobs.

The Azzuri Group is being taken over by investment firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, which plans to keep open 225 restaurants and shops, protecting 5,000 jobs. Read the full story here.

Buzz Bingo

Buzz Bingo has said it will permanently close 26 of its bingo halls, putting 573 jobs at risk.

The company said the move will be part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring deal to secure its long-term future.

Buzz Bingo said that 91 of its clubs will continue to trade, with plans to start the reopening of sites from August 6. Read the full story here.

DFS Furniture

Retailer DFS Furniture warned it may axe up to 200 jobs across its Sofa Workshop and Dwell chains as the group braces for annual losses after a £271million sales hit from lockdown.

The sofa chain, which employs 5,500 staff, said it is making a “targeted reduction” of roles amid an overhaul of the two brands.

The warning came as it said revenues slumped to around £725m in the year to June 28 after it was forced to freeze deliveries for most of its final quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story here.

Arcadia

Topshop and Dorothy Perkins owner Arcadia has announced plans to cut 500 jobs after it was hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown.

Philip Green’s firm said the roles will be lost from its 2,500-strong head office workforce. Read the full story here.

Royal Mail

Around 2,000 management jobs are being axed at Royal Mail as it looks to slash costs in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

The group said the job cuts come as part of a management overhaul under plans to save £330 million over the next two years.

The cull will affect some of its 9,700 managers, with senior executive and non-operational roles hardest hit. Read the full story here.

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Pizza Express

The chain is reportedly planning to axe around 75 sites across the UK as part of a rescue deal that could put hundreds of jobs at risk.

Franky & Benny’s

Both of Hull’s popular Frankie and Benny’s restaurants “will permanently close”, according to a member of staff at their St Andrew’s Quay venue.

Hull Live understands that an email was sent to workers at both of the city’s restaurants earlier this month explaining how bosses had “taken the tough decision” to shut their west Hull site.

The staff member says she also also then found out that “Kingswood was permanently closing too” but the company say they are unable to confirm the closures of specific sites. Read the full story here.

The Welly, The Polar Bear and Hull Box Office

The firm behind The Welly, The Polar Bear and Hull Box Office confirmed the closures last week as parts of its business was put into adminstration.

Two of the six VMS Live companies have entered administration, with the likely loss of 20 full-time jobs. Read the full story here.

BBC

Jobs will be lost at BBC Radio Humberside as part of plans to cut 450 jobs from the corporation.

The BBC says there will be a small number of redundancies at the station, based at Queens Gardens in Hull city centre.

Earlier this month, the corporation announced that it plans to cut 450 jobs from 3,000 staff working across England by the end of March 2022. Read the full story here.

Swift Caravans

The UK’s largest caravan manufacturer has cut a number of jobs at its East Yorkshire headquarters.

In May, Swift Group, which has its head office and a large factory in Cottingham, sent letters to staff to inform them that their fixed term contracts would not be renewed at the end of June. Read the full story here.

Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer has said 950 jobs are at risk as part of plans to reduce store management and head office roles.