Up to 91 jobs on the line at Myer's

ONE of the largest manufacturing businesses in Huntingdon is to shed "up to 91 jobs".

Angry staff at Myer's in St Peter's Road, Huntingdon were waiting for details of possible redundancies to be confirmed as The Hunts Post went to press on Tuesday (September 23) with talks ongoing.

A worker who wanted to remain anonymous said morale had been severely affected by the initial announcement last Thursday.

He said: "As you can imagine there are a lot of unhappy people here. We are upset and angry."

He added: "Things are so bad. We've heard that it's up to 91 jobs."

The worker claimed that the job cuts were being made because the company is overstaffed after a take over in August last year by Sweden based Hilding Anders.

Seventy-four-year-old Nick Page who worked for Myer's from 1966 to 1998, said news of the possible job cuts had broken his heart.

Speaking to The Hunts Post he said: "It is very sad news. When I left the company in 1998 it was a thriving business, which kept expanding. It did have its ups and downs but what company doesn't?"

Mr Page of Maple Close, Huntingdon, added: "It is such a shame that such a successful business is having to resort to job cuts, it breaks my heart."

Myer's in Huntingdon refused to comment and said any statement would have to come from their Swedish owners. After several phone calls to Hilding Anders in Sweden, a statement from the company said: "We can confirm that Hilding Anders has begun consultation with the union representatives regarding a downsize of the organisation at Myer's. However, no specific number can be confirmed at this time as the consultation has recently started. No further comment can be given at this time."

Myer's was founded in London in 1876 and in 1962 a site opened in Huntingdon, employing 70 people and producing 750 beds a week.

In 1982 all production was transferred to Huntingdon.

Since then, the site has expanded to, employ some 600 people and occupy 300,000 square feet on a 13-acre plot.