Sussex M&S staff to be affected as 7,000 job cuts announced

Staff at Marks and Spencer stores across Sussex could be impacted after the company announced 7,000 job losses.
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The news has been described as a ‘devastating blow’ to the chain’s workers and ‘another bombshell’ for our high streets – which were struggling even before the coronavirus crisis.

M&S announced today (August 18) it will be cutting the 7,000 jobs across its stores and management in the next three months.

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It comes after the announcement in July that 950 store management roles at the company are at risk.

M&S, photo by Getty ImagesM&S, photo by Getty Images
M&S, photo by Getty Images

M&S said the decision was made to ‘streamline’ the business due to a major shift in how customers behave, prompted by the covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement it said: “Clothing and Home trading in the stores remains well below last year, with online and home delivery strong.

“It is clear there has been a material shift in trade and, whilst it is too early to predict with precision where a new post covid sales mix will settle, we must act now to reflect this change.”

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Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw is calling for more support from the government and for M&S to listen to its staff who are part of the union.

National officer Dave Gill said: “This job loss announcement is yet another devastating blow for M&S staff and yet another bombshell for our high streets.

“The Government has a clear choice: do they want to see the high street go to the wall, or do they want to help save it?”

The union is calling for ‘fundamental’ reforms of business rates, a review of rent costs, more funding for local authorities to support town centres, and a new deal for retail workers centred around a living wage and guaranteed hours.

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