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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 300 jobs at risk at online bike retailer | 300 jobs at risk at online bike retailer |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The online bike retailer, WiggleCRC, is planning to cut about 300 jobs in Northern Ireland. | The online bike retailer, WiggleCRC, is planning to cut about 300 jobs in Northern Ireland. |
| The company was formed when Wiggle took over Doagh-based Chain Reaction Cycles earlier this year. | The company was formed when Wiggle took over Doagh-based Chain Reaction Cycles earlier this year. |
| The company says it intends to concentrate the majority of its warehouse facilities in Wolverhampton in England. | The company says it intends to concentrate the majority of its warehouse facilities in Wolverhampton in England. |
| Some 152 staff and 161 agency roles are under threat in Northern Ireland as a result. | |
| "Necessary" | "Necessary" |
| In a statement the company said: "For WiggleCRC to retain its position and remain competitive in the UK as well as increasingly global markets, we have concluded that this can be best achieved by concentrating the majority of our distribution through our warehouse facility in Wolverhampton. | In a statement the company said: "For WiggleCRC to retain its position and remain competitive in the UK as well as increasingly global markets, we have concluded that this can be best achieved by concentrating the majority of our distribution through our warehouse facility in Wolverhampton. |
| "This necessary step, will require the relocation of significant warehouse activities currently in Doagh, Carrickfergus and Ballyclare. | "This necessary step, will require the relocation of significant warehouse activities currently in Doagh, Carrickfergus and Ballyclare. |
| "WiggleCRC will retain a significant staff and management presence in Northern Ireland, with at least 275 unaffected employees forming a vital part of our ambitious growth plans." | "WiggleCRC will retain a significant staff and management presence in Northern Ireland, with at least 275 unaffected employees forming a vital part of our ambitious growth plans." |
| John Campbell, BBC News NI Economics and Business Editor | |
| Chain Reaction has been our biggest retail success story of the internet era. | |
| The company is one of the world's main online sellers of bikes and cycling accessories. | |
| It started in 1985 as a single bike shop in Doagh, owned by the Watson family. | |
| But having built a world-class operation, employing more than 500 people, they sold it last year to rival firm, Wiggle. | |
| Now Wiggle are planning a shake-up which will mean concentrating warehouse operations at its massive facility in Wolverhampton. | |
| The company says it will keep at least 275 jobs in Northern Ireland in roles like management, IT and sales and has promised employees will be treated fairly and in line with their values | |
| Its wheel building operation will remain in Ballyclare. | |
| Major job losses at such a successful and respected company will shock many people. | |
| But in a very competitive market the new owners were never going to sentimental about Northern Ireland jobs. |