Blakemore Wholesale staff at the company’s Wolverhampton HQ have been warned that departments related to its cash & carry business are to shut down.
A Blakemore spokesperson said: “This decision has been reached following careful consideration by the AF Blakemore board and the company will provide all the necessary support for colleagues during this time.”
The statement also confirmed that its Killingworth cash & carry in Tyneside will shut this Friday (8 June), followed by its sites in Barnsley, Yorkshire, and Newport, South Wales, on 15 June. The company expects all three sites will not be bought by rival wholesalers.
Blakemore said the developments followed its announcement on 3 April that its wholesale arm would be put up for sale as a going concern. However, so far only one depot has been sold as a going concern – Gateshead, which will be taken over by United Wholesale Grocers this month.
Since this time last year, the number of Blakemore cash & carries has fallen from 14 to eight. Customers have said availability had dropped significantly since the 3 April announcement, with the company also delisting key lines.
The Blakemore spokesperson added: “While no further comment will be made at the current time, information will be provided as the situation progresses over the coming weeks.”
