Enough jobs for staff at closure-threatened Debenhams warehouse in Peterborough could be found in just months

Hopes are high that jobs for about 500 staff at Peterborough’s closure-threatened Debenhams warehouse could be found in around two months.
By Paul Grinnell
Published 12th Jan 2021, 05:15 GMT
Updated 12th Jan 2021, 07:32 GMT
Exterior of Debenham's warehouse at Kingston Park, Hampton EMN-200112-124240009Exterior of Debenham's warehouse at Kingston Park, Hampton EMN-200112-124240009
Exterior of Debenham's warehouse at Kingston Park, Hampton EMN-200112-124240009

Ambitious plans are being drawn up to pull together hundreds of vacancies from an array of Peterborough employers in a move that could meet the needs of Debenhams workforce.

The action by the city economic regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough comes after it was revealed yesterday the warehouse at Kingston Park has been earmarked for closure with the loss of about 520 jobs.

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It is understood the warehouse, which has been in operation for 12 years, could shut its doors by the end of the month.

Fears for the future of the warehouse and its staff were triggered after an unsuccessful search for a buyer for the ailing 242-year-old department store chain led to administrators starting its liquidation process.

Tom Hennessy, chief executive of Opportunity Peterborough, said: “We are working with Debenhams, other local employers and partners like Department of Work and Pensions, JobCentre, Serco, Peterborough Regional College and local agencies to identify job opportunities and support the people facing redundancy.

He said: “There’s been a great response from local employers.

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“Discussions so far have identified over 100 vacancies for immediate start and indicate another 350 jobs are expected to become available over the next six to eight weeks.

“This work is ongoing and we will continue to work closely with partners.”

All the vacancies are from at least 10 employers based at Gateway Peterborough, Kingston Park, Lynch Wood and in Bretton.

An action plan to help former Debenhams staff is also being put together by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

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Combined authority Mayor James Palmer stated in a tweet: “We are working with partners to put together a strong package of support for those affected by the closure of the Debenhams warehouse in Peterborough. Information of support available will be on the Combined Authority website shortly.”

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Related topics:DebenhamsOpportunity PeterboroughJames Palmer