Coca Cola European Partners confirms closure of Peterborough hub and 59 job losses

MP Shailesh Vara has called on the company, which operates a customer hub in Morley Way, Woodston, to support staff affected with ‘much more’ than the statutory minimum.

The member for North West Cambs received confirmation from the company that it intends to go ahead with relocating its operation out of the city after a consultation period with staff ended.

Mr Vara said: “I am of course disappointed that Coca Cola European Partners have confirmed their departure from Peterborough and that there will be 59 redundancies.

“There will be redeployment opportunities for some, but there will be many others who will be without a job.

“I have made clear to the company that I expect them to provide those affected with much more support and assistance than the statutory minimum.”

Last month the company announced it was consulting with staff on plans to close its Peterborough operation in June when the lease on its current premises runs out.

Then a spokesman said: “The lease at our Peterborough office comes to an end this June and this has prompted us to review the services we operate from this site.

“As a result of this review, we are considering moving these activities to our facilities in Milton Keynes and Uxbridge.

“If these proposed changes are implemented they could result in the total loss of 59 roles, and the site would close in June 2020. At the same time we expect to create 31 additional roles in other locations, providing potential redeployment opportunities for impacted colleagues.

“We are proud of our long standing links with Peterborough and have not made these proposals lightly.”

The company confirmed its intention to go ahead with the closure in a letter to Mr Vara in which the company said: “We will continue to focus on providing them with the support they need over the coming months. We are very proud of the performance and professionalism of our colleagues at the site and we want to stress that this is by no means a reflection on the team of dedicated professionals at Peterborough.

“Our priority now is to continue to provide as much support as possible to all impacted colleagues through the period of transition. We are committed to supporting all those impacted throughout the process of closure and beyond, by offering redeployment opportunities within our business as well as tailored outplacement support.”