DHL confirms centre closure move

DHL has confirmed its plans to close its site in the Borders

Mail carrier firm DHL has confirmed plans to close a service centre in the Borders with the loss of 19 jobs.

A spokesman for the company said it had now entered consultation with the staff at its Galashiels plant.

He said the move was essential to enable DHL Express to keep its "market-leading position in line with rapidly changing customer needs".

Germany's Deutsche Post bought DHL in 2002. It announced 9,500 job cuts in its business in the US last year.

A company spokesman confirmed the plans for the Galashiels site were "subject to consultation".

"Wherever possible we will always endeavour to retain employees in the business and we will look for suitable re-employment options," he said.

"This proposal is essential for maintaining a strong operation with the right framework to enable DHL Express to keep its market-leading position in line with rapidly changing customer needs."