A Bradford retail warehouse is axing weekend shifts from April in a move that will hit up to 65 workers.

Weekend staff at the Next warehouse on Toftshaw Lane, Tong, which has operated for more than 20 years and employs 520 staff, are being offered alternative weekday work in Bradford or weekend shifts at other sites near Pontefract and in South Yorkshire.

In a statement Next plc said: “We can confirm that the decision to close the weekend operation at Toftshaw Lane has been taken to protect the workforce and maintain long term job security.”

One worker who contacted the T&A said: “A lot of us who can only work the weekend are devastated and will be forced to lose our jobs.

“Next is a strong company and do not have to close down the shift. That’s the last thing we all need in this economic crisis.

“A week before we were informed about this we were told by our managers that Next is doing brilliantly and there will be no job losses or anything like this affecting us. “A week later we were told the warehouse is closing down on the weekends and all of our jobs will have to go.”