Black Friday for jobs in Gwent

Meanwhile in Tredegar, another 138 jobs are under threat and workers at Llanwern's Corus site were faced with taking a pay cut. CHRIS WOOD, DAVID DEANS and HARRY HAWKINS report.

CHRISTMAS looks bleak for more than 500 Gwent workers at risk of losing their jobs, while the spectre of paycuts hangs over 800 more. Gwent's 377 Woolworths workers face an uncertain future as the firm's administrator said the stores could close by the end of December unless a buyer is found soon for the retail giant.

In Tredegar, office furniture firm Desklink faces going into administration if a buyer for that business is not found, with 138 staff left without jobs. And at Corus in Llanwern talks were ongoing yesterday between unions and management over potential 10 per cent paycuts for workers there.

The Woolworths news came from administrators Deloitte. Reorganisation services partner Neville Kahn said the administrator is still seeking bids from interested parties in buying the chain which has 11 stores in Gwent. Yesterday, the store began a closing down sale. Mr Kahn said: “By moving to a store closing down sale and further discounting the stock, we are maximising the sales potential that this period (Christmas) offers.” Thousands of shoppers descended on Woolworths in Maesglas. There were huge tailbacks with slow moving traffic back as far as the Pont Ebbw Bridge, and queues long the Southern Distributor Road from the east of the city to get on the site. The stores' posters said there would be discounts of up to 50 per cent.

Around 50 people waited in the cold for it to open at 9am, but many bargain-hunters claimed they were left disappointed. Mike Leith, 50, of Corporation Road, Newport, said: “I thought everything was going cheap and had brought the van down to fill it up.

“There’s only discounts of 10% and 20% (on some items). People are walking out empty-handed. Stavros Davies, 45, of Ringland said: “People want something for nothing now. I’m keeping my money in my pocket until prices really go down, like they did when the MFI store next door closed.” But Brian Evans, 60, from Caldicot left with a full trolley of shopping. He said: “People seem to think everything is 50% off, but you’ve got to be careful as its only certain things. I’ve stocked up on the household items and childrens’ clothing.”

Store officials refused to comment, but shoppers yesterday told of staff being left distraught by the situation. Gaynor Meredith, 49, from Newport said: “I asked a member of staff if they had a tip box for us to give them something, but she said they weren’t allowed. She then broke down in tears and someone else had to replace her on the till.”

Karin Black, 46, from Marshfield bought some stationery and as she left took a sign from the doorway that read ‘Sale - up to 50% off’. She said: “This is my memento. I grew up with Woolworths and would like to thank Woolies for all the pleasure it’s given me over the years.”

Hundreds of shoppers visited other Woolwoths stores in Gwent. At Pontypool, were asked to stop asking when Woolworths would close its doors. A customer said a sign, attached to one of the tills, said the questions were upsetting staff. Shelves were being gradually emptied and left unfilled. Kimberly Nash, 20, from Blaenavon, said the sale wasn’t as cheap as she was expecting. Rachel Taylor, also from Blaenavon, said of staff: "They don’t know what’s happening." Rita Hilks, 52, of Trevethin, and Mandy Lathwell, 42, were among those carrying bulky bags of shopping.

They had bought household goods. Ms Lathwell said: "It will be awful for the High Street. It’s been here years, it’s always been here." She added that there weren’t many good shops left in Pontypool: "We don’t have a clothes shop, and we don’t have a shoe shop either."

Woolworths jobs under threat in Gwent:

• Abergavenny: 37
• Abertillery: 19
• Blackwood: 22
• Chepstow: 19
• Cwmbran: 65
• Ebbw Vale: 23
• Monmouth: 21
• Newport (city centre): 30
• Newport (Maesglas): 110
• Pontypool: 17
• Tredegar: 14