AT LEAST 13 jobs are expected to be lost when a new �1million distribution centre in Newmarket opens in February, replacing depots in Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge.

AT LEAST 13 jobs are expected to be lost when a new �1million distribution centre in Newmarket opens in February, replacing depots in Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge.

Newspaper and magazine wholesaler Smiths News employs currently 11 people at Bury and 28 at Cambridge. The purpose-built 11,000sq ft building at Newmarket Business Park, which is nearing completion, will need 26 staff, some of whom may relocate from the existing centres.

A spokesperson for Smiths News said the number of jobs going “could vary and it really depends on individuals”.

But she added: “We are looking to invest, and that is what we are doing.”

The idea was to pull everyone together on one site instead of two, she said.

“Smiths News has further strengthened its position as the UK's leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler by investing over �1m in its new distribution centre in Newmarket,” she said.

“The sites in Cambridge and Bury currently employ 39 members of staff. We will be working with employees and their respective representatives to minimise any potential redundancies. We will be creating 26 new roles in the new Newmarket distribution centre.

“We are delighted to be making these investments that will see benefits for our retailers and provide a fantastic place for our staff to work.”

The lease deal, agreed through Cheffins, is thought to have been the biggest in the area this year.

Nationally, Smiths news has more than 60 depots, and employs around 5,500 people and a further 1,200 contractors delivering 73million newspapers and magazines a week.