UP to 60 jobs could be made redundant at the John Lewis Partnership distribution warehouse in Stevenage. The shock news affecting more than a third of the 170 operational roles there came yesterday (Wednesday) when the company announced plans to open a £4

UP to 60 jobs could be made redundant at the John Lewis Partnership distribution warehouse in Stevenage.

The shock news affecting more than a third of the 170 operational roles there came yesterday (Wednesday) when the company announced plans to open a £45m automated distribution centre in Milton Keynes in 2009.

It will handle stock which is currently held in the Stevenage warehouse.

The Stevenage facility will remain as a storage depot for larger items, and the company will spend £3.5m on refitting the building and updating computer systems.

But it is estimated that up to 60 redundancies may be made in Stevenage in 2009.

All workers affected will be offered the chance to transfer to the new centre in Milton Keynes, and the company has pledged to do all it can to keep the reduction in numbers as low as possible.