MORE than 60 staff at a distribution centre in Wallingford could lose their jobs after the Habitat furniture store chain went into administration.

Workers who deliver the store’s products to homes from contractor Unipart Consumer Logistics in Moreton Avenue on Hithercroft Industrial Estate, have been told they could be made redundant.

In June, Habitat ownersHilco UK announced it was putting the firm into administration.

Only three London stores have been saved through a sale to the Home Retail Group and the administrator is seeking a buyer for the 30 others.

It is understood some warehouse employees have worked on behalf of Habitat for about 30 years. The warehouse employs 65 people.

Debbie Daly, a spokesman for Cowley-based Unipart Group, said: “As a result of the decision taken by Hilco, Unipart has announced to employees that this will result in redundancies.

“In the logistics business, clients regularly require us to make changes and Unipart has a great track record of responding to those changes and providing the best possible alternatives for affected employees.

“We will be looking at all possible options to minimise any redundancies and we expect to be able to find alternative employment within our growing business.”

Ms Daly added that although 65 staff were facing redundancy from November 9, the firm would try to minimise losses by switching staff to its Garsington Road, Cowley warehouse.

The Cowley warehouse is a distribution centre for Homebase and Unipart Automotive, which supplies car parts.

Bernard Stone, Wallingford town councillor and former mayor, said: “Until about 10 years ago, Habitat had offices and a large retail outlet on the estate as well as the warehouse.

“Then they closed the shop and the offices and kept the distribution centre.

“Any loss of jobs in the town is a blow, but hopefully the warehouse will be let to another employer which could create replacement jobs.”

In June, it emerged that the Habitat store near Seacourt Tower, Botley, was one of the 30 under threat, with 30 jobs at risk. There are ‘store closing’ signs outside the store, and 70 per cent off goods.