Matt Discombe

A children’s store, which has been in Lincoln’s city centre for nearly two decades, will close this week, in a move which threatens employees’ jobs.

The Early Learning Centre, in Lincoln’s Waterside Shopping Centre, will close on Saturday, September 22.

It will then re-open inside the city’s Mothercare store, owned by the same company, in Lincoln’s St Mark’s retail park.

Staff at the closing branch are currently facing a consultation to decide if they are to keep their jobs, and may be assigned to nearby stores.

Mothercare Plc says the move is part of its plan to cut the number of Mothercare and Early Learning Centre outlets from 373 to 200 by March 2015.

A Mothercare spokesperson said; “We hope this has not upset any customers and that they will continue to shop at our Mothercare Lincoln store. Customers may also choose to shop via our website or from our catalogue.

“The store staff are in their consultation period, where re-deployment in a nearby store is the first option. We currently have no other information to give on the employees at this store.”

Lincoln’s Early Learning Centre branch has spent 18 years in the city. Lincoln’s Waterside Shopping Centre now has seven empty retail spaces.

The Early Learning Centre currently has 215 stores across the UK, and over 80 international stores in 19 countries across the world.

Potato day (L-R): Matt-Cook, Bradley Cross, HR and logistics director Simon-Telfer, Matt Meen, Kyle Johnson.

A potato supplier near Lincoln has held training sessions this week for local unemployed youths.

Branston Ltd gave the youngsters, aged 16-24, the chance to taste its potato products and view their factory and surrounding facilities.

Groups were given free skills training, with advice on CV writing and interview techniques. The firm also highlighted jobs and careers available at its Lincolnshire site.

The two half-day sessions were held in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to support Feeding Britain’s Future- Skills for Work Week; a national scheme taking place between September 17 and 21 to help tackle youth unemployment.

Mike Harwood, Branston’s NPD manager, and Simon Telfer HR manager with the young people

Simon Telfer, HR and logistics director at Branston said: “We believe it’s really important to nurture young talent in the region and we have a ‘grow your own’ ethos for developing skills.

“The issue of unemployment amongst 16 – 24 year olds is one that affects our local community and as a large employer we want to help tackle the problem.

“We hope that through these seminars we’ll be able to show local young people the great opportunities available within the food industry, which they otherwise may not have considered before.”

Branston Ltd, based in the village of Branston just outside of Lincoln, is one of the largest potato suppliers in the country and employs more than 300 people at its Lincolnshire site.

Jean Doğantekin of Jobcentre Plus said: “It’s been fantastic that such a big local employer like Branston has got involved in this.

“It’s been really interesting for the young people to see that working at Branston is not just about sorting potatoes, but it’s about long term careers too.”