Wyevale to cut head office staff

The UK's largest garden centre group, Wyevale Garden Centres with 148 stores and 5,000 employees, told Head Office staff on Monday that many would lose their jobs, as it plans to cut 48 roles including two board level Directors. 

The restructuring is likely to save the embattled company around £1.5m, a necessary step after it announced the single biggest loss in garden centre history, over £120m for the full year ending 2016. 

Read - Wyevale reports biggest loss in Garden Centre history.

A Wyevale Garden Centre spokesperson said, “We have recently reviewed our head office structure to ensure it is appropriate for the long term and continues to support our business plans.  The challenging trading conditions make it even more important that we are focused on the right areas to deliver for our customers. Following the review, we have informed colleagues that we are making changes to the CSC structure.  As a result, some colleagues will be redeployed into new roles and we also expect there to be a reduction in headcount.  We are in consultation at present with those colleagues who are impacted and our focus is on ensuring they remain well supported during this process.”

Wyevale has also confirmed the departure of two directors. Steve Masters, Property, M&A & concessions director left the business on 29 December 2017 and Lisa Cherry, HR Director, is due to leave at the end of her maternity leave. Steve Masters joined Wyevale in January 2014 and Lisa Cherry in December of the same year.

A Wyevale Garden Centre spokesperson said, “We can confirm some changes to the Executive Team at Wyevale Garden Centres, which saw Steve Masters, Property, M&A & Concessions Director leaving the business on 29 December 2017, and Lisa Cherry, HR Director due to leave at the end of her maternity leave. We thank both Steve and Lisa for their significant contribution to the business over the last few years and to wish them well for the future.”

Source: Insight DIY Team

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's latest home and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY newsletter today.