174 jobs at risk at Altham furniture firm in latest COVID-19 blow

The Senator Group, based in Altham, is reducing its workforce by a tenth as demand for office furniture falls because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Davies, the firm's Group Operations Director, said while the redundancies are "unfortunate and disappointing", the move will protect the future of the remaining 1,100 staff there.

In a statement released to the Burnley Express, he stated: "It’s unfortunate and disappointing that we are having to make up to 174 redundancies due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

"We have concluded collective consultation with employee representatives and are now individually consulting with those at risk of redundancy. We are doing all we can to support those employees affected; which includes providing details of local job vacancies and holding in-house sessions to help with CV writing and interview techniques.

"After this process we will employ more than 1,100 employees across the group and we will remain the largest employer locally, and the largest office furniture manufacturer in the UK.

"Our business has been operating for nearly 45 years and we are in a strong position for the future."