Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman is seeking an urgent meeting with bosses at troubled nursery products firm Mamas & Papas.
The Colnebridge-based company is seeking 50 to 90 redundancies among its 440-strong head office workforce and is urging landlords of its 60 UK stores – where it has 956 employees – to back a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) which would allow the firm to revise its lease terms and reduce its rent bill.
The shock move comes as the award-winning company seeks to cut costs in the face of tough trading conditions.
The owners of its UK store sites will vote on the CVA at a meeting on Wednesday, September 10.
Mr Sheerman said he would contact Mamas & Papas directors to offer whatever assistance he can.
The Labour MP said: “My heart always goes out to anyone when they face being made redundant. This business has been a jewel in the crown and a success in Huddersfield and hopefully they will be able to bounce back. They are in a very competitive market. If there is anything I can do to help, I will.”
Mamas & Papas chairman David Scacchetti said its wholesale and international businesses were performing strongly, but the UK retail environment was the toughest he had seen in the 30 years since the company was founded.
UK store staff are not included in the redundancy process taking place at Huddersfield and the stores are open and trading as normal.
