Council set to help axed retail workers

OLDHAM Council leader Jean Stretton

OLDHAM Council is ready to assist 300 workers who will lose their jobs after retail firm Betta Living went into administration.

Administrators contacted staff to inform them that they would be made redundant from the company, which is based on Suthers Street, Werneth, and sells kitchens, bedrooms and wardrobes - all 24 Betta Living stores are now shut.

Since their appointment as joint administrators to company on November 8, Anthony Collier and Ben Woolrych, of FRP Advisory, had been exploring options to rescue the business out of administration but were unable to find a buyer.

While workers will lose their jobs, the administrators managed to sell out the order book to a former management team, which will help deliver existing orders and secure a small number of job opportunities, largely in the Oldham and Greater Manchester area.

The news that a major employer has gone into administration comes as a blow to the borough, but Oldham Council is hopeful that they will be able to find affected workers new jobs and also offer them support.

The council has contacted JobCentre Plus (JCP) to agree an approach and the administrator will contact staff with information about how to claim redundancy and benefits online. Furthermore, they will work with JCP and other partner agencies to minimise the impact and are also asking businesses in the area with suitable vacancies to contact the Get Oldham Working (GOW) team, who will work with the JobCentre and affected residents.

The GOW team can also provide practical support, such as help with CVs and interview practice.

Cllr Jean Stretton, leader of Oldham Council, said: "This is terrible news for the workers and their families, especially as it is only weeks before Christmas.

"The news that a major employer has gone into administration is also a blow to the borough. It is hoped that the administrator can still help secure the business' future."

She said: "We have contacted JobCentre Plus to agree an approach. The administrator will contact staff with information about how to claim redundancy and benefits online. We'll work with the JCP team and other partners to see what can be done to minimise the impact if the business cannot continue.

"I would ask if there are any businesses in Oldham with vacancies that might be suitable to contact the GOW team who can work with the JobCentre and the affected residents to support them."

She added: "We are hopeful that we will be able to find the affected workers new jobs, but we'll also offer support from the Get Oldham Working team. They can provide practical support such as help with CVs and interview practice. We'd urge anyone who has been affected to contact the GOW team."

Anthony Collier said: "We are pleased that a solution has been found with a view to fulfilling existing customer orders, which may also lead to the creation of jobs in the future."

The GOW team can be contacted on 01617 704674 or at employability@oldham.gov.uk.

Alternatively, call in at their offices across the road from the Job Centre.