Aldi confirms atherstone distribution closure with staff forced to relocate

Aldi has confirmed it is to close its distribution hub at its Atherstone HQ. The closure will take place over the next two years and see the operations moved to a new site in Bardon,

Coalville. The national name has stressed that all staff based within the Atherstone distribution hub will be offered 'guaranteed equivalent roles' at Bardon. But this will be a

journey of at least 25 minutes for some. The news comes just months after the firm confirmed that some administrative roles at its head office in Holly Lane are also set to go. It is not yet

clear how many jobs in the distribution centre are set to be impacted by the decision to relocate. READ MORE: HOUSE OF COMMONS URGED TO STOP HUGE NUNEATON FIRE STATION CHANGE THAT PUTS

LOCALS AT 'RISK' READ MORE: REASON WHY ALMOST 200 SPRAY PAINTED CIRCLES HAVE APPEARED ACROSS NUNEATON AND BEDWORTH In a statement to CoventryLive, an Aldi spokesperson explained

that the decision was made as part of the huge drive to open 1,500 stores and the Bardon site will be 'strategically important'. "Like any business, we must adapt and innovate

in order to support our continued growth," the spokesperson said. "Bardon represents a strategically important investment for our business as we work towards our long-term

ambition of 1,500 stores across the UK. "We are investing in the very latest technology that will significantly increase the efficiency of our warehouse network, and reduce the cost of

serving our stores, meaning we can continue to deliver the lowest prices on the market to our customers. "Activity at Aldi’s Atherstone distribution centre will gradually relocate to

Bardon over the next two years. There will be guaranteed equivalent roles at Bardon for everyone currently working in the distribution centre at Atherstone who wants to stay with the

business, and our priority is to support all our colleagues through this transition."