Rebecca Hubbard
Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 10:16 am

The Penrith branch of chain JT Atkinson is to close its home and garden centre, making 11 of its staff redundant.

It has been decided that the branch, on Ullswater Road, will now focus on its traditional builders merchant business. This has a tool hire department and bathroom showroom, as well as individual building, plumbing and heating counters. 

Sarah Hagan, marketing coordinator has claimed that the decision to close the centre at the branch was "based on general market conditions and competition from the big sheds in the area. We just couldn't compete with them, and then there's internet retail as well, it's just an accumulation really."  

Two of the centre's 13 staff will move over to the builders merchants operation on the site, leaving the other 11 without a job. The department is anticipated to close sometime in the autumn. 

The clearance of stock began on Monday with a sizeable sale. Once this sale is complete, the site will be available for rent. Marketing of the space will be undertaken by Knight Frank and local agents Penrith Farmers' and Kidd's.

The family-run chain currently employs 150 staff in its eight branches across the North East.