A CASH-AND-CARRY chain has reversed a decision to close its Huddersfield depot.

Northants-based Booker said its branch at Red Doles Lane would continue to trade after all – securing the jobs of 22 workers.

Booker announced only a week ago that it was closing the branch because the lease was up.

But in a short statement, the company said it would continue to operate the 34,000sq ft outlet.

A spokeswoman said: “Following positive feedback from customers, consultation with colleagues and a new rental agreement with our landlord, Booker is delighted to announce that the branch in Huddersfield will remain trading and that 22 jobs will be saved.

“Booker is looking forward to continuing to serve local businesses in the Huddersfield area.”

The depot is one of more than 170 Booker branches across the UK. The company also has sites in Yorkshire at Leeds, Bradford and Hull.

Booker is one of the country’s largest food wholesaler operators with more than 8,300 employees.

It offers more than 20,000 branded and private-label goods to more than 400,000 customers.

In its most recent trading update, Booker reported a 2.7% rise in sales for the 16 weeks to January 2, 2009, compared with the same period last year. Like-for-like non-tobacco sales were up by 5% while tobacco sales fell by 0.9%. Total same-store sales were up by 2.7%. Online sales were more than one-and-a-half times higher at £83m