MORE THAN 200 jobs are at risk at the Iceland depot in Deeside.

Around 240 jobs could be lost at the frozen food company's warehouse distribution hub, which opened in 2018, and is run by logistics company GXO.

GXO has told staff that their jobs are at risk as Iceland is investing in increasing the capacity of its sites in Swindon and Livingston, Scotland, as well as creating a new base in Warrington. GXO said the Deeside site will become a "third-party storage facility".

A letter seen by the Leader sent to staff by GXO says jobs are under threat, but that the company will make "every effort" to redeploy jobs in the Iceland network.

A GXO spokesperson said: "Following a strategic review of the Iceland distribution network GXO is proposing repurposing the Deeside depot as a third-party storage facility effective as of April 1.

"The decision follows significant investments by Iceland over the past three years to increase the capacity of its Swindon sites and Livingston retail distribution centres (RDC) and to create the new RDC in Warrington, which are expected to help the company meet all of its current and projected operational needs.

“GXO will initiate consultations with the Deeside depot employees the week of February 6, 2023, with the process taking a minimum of 45 days. GXO will take every step to minimise the impact of this change on its employees, offering redeployment to the wider GXO and Iceland distribution networks as well as support with finding external opportunities.” 

An Iceland Foods spokesperson said: "Iceland Foods is working closely with GXO following its strategic review of the Deeside depot and is supporting affected employees to find new opportunities, including in the GXO and Iceland distribution network. Iceland remains committed to the Deeside community and delivering business growth for the Welsh economy."

Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside, said he is "deeply concerned" by the news. 

He said: "This move puts the livelihood of families across Deeside on the line in the middle of a cost of living crisis, and I call on Iceland and GXO Logistics to change course.

"The Deeside depot saw a large job creation announcement made just four years ago. This is an important part of a good business, and I hope both companies involved will deliver on the values they publicly champion, and protect workers' jobs here in Flintshire."