The Bookseller.com

11th October 2008

Jobs to go at Borders and Blackwell

10.07.08 Graeme Neill

Borders and Blackwell are looking to make redundancies following internal reviews at both businesses.

It is understood that three positions are being cut from Borders' eight-strong buying team, with all buyers being asked to reapply for their jobs. A Borders spokesperson said that a four-week consultation period about internal restructuring began at the end of June, and would be completed by 21st July. C.e.o. Philip Downer said that he had "absolutely no comment" to make about the redundancies. "We are in the process of restructuring our store support office," he said. "That process is under way but no final decisions have been made regarding any individual."

Meanwhile, Blackwell has recently completed a review of shop structures as part of an ongoing turnaround plan. David Prescott, head of retail operations, said that existing shop structures were "inconsistent", leaving the business unable to respond to changing sales patterns and adequately plan ahead. "This change will also improve our productivity and performance as our cost base was disproportionately high," he said.

"The review and its resulting changes have enabled us to update all of our terms and conditions and given our managers greater control of their payroll management and localised trading patterns. But, regrettably, as a result of these changes, we are currently in redundancy consultation with those individuals directly impacted."

The redundancies include Andy Quinn, manager of Blackwell Charing Cross Road's events programme.

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