Travis Perkins to close 30 branches
Travis Perkins, the UK’s biggest builders merchant, has announced that it is to close 30 branches.
The company, which employs 28,000 people and has 2,060 stores, said it was taking the steps – which put 600 jobs at risk – due to an “uncertain UK outlook” for 2017. The firm is closing branches of Travis Perkins, Benchmarx, BSS and PTS, but not its DIY store Wickes.
Chief executive John Carter said it was “still too early to predict customer demand in 2017 with certainty”. The news came as Travis Perkins revealed its third-quarter 2016 trading update.
Travis Perkins has taken on 4,000 staff this year amid an expansion of its best-performing outlets – with over 50 Wickes stores given an overhaul.