4 days ago
Roles to be made redundant at funeral parlours in Bolton
A funeral care business is set to make roles redundant at its Bolton branches, it has emerged.
The Co-Operative Funeralcare, which currently has two branches in Bolton, has confirmed that it will be reshaping the structure of the Bolton team.
As a result of this, certain roles will be removed whilst new ones will be created as consultations are currently ongoing.
It is currently unclear how many roles will be removed following the company's restructuring.
A spokesperson for Co-op Funeralcare said: 'At Co-op Funeralcare, we are committed to providing the highest level of service and care to bereaved families and their loved ones in our local communities.
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'As such, we regularly review our operations to ensure that our colleagues are best placed and adequately supported to deliver the highest standards for our clients and those within our care.
'We have identified the need to reshape our team in Bolton, which will enable us to further enhance our ability to serve the needs of the local community and ensure colleagues feel fully supported whilst carrying out their work.
'The changes we are proposing will see certain roles removed whilst new ones will be created and consultation with colleagues is currently ongoing.'
The Co-Operative Funeralcare currently boasts 800 funeral homes in the heart of communities.
The business offers pre-paid funeral plans, cremations, funeral arrangement and handling legal and administrative tasks like probate.
The Bolton branches are located on Crompton Way and Albert Road in Farnworth.
In April, The Co-operative Group reported annual profits jump higher, but warned it will face more than £200 million in costs and spending pressures over the year ahead.
The member-owned mutual said it was bracing for 'new headwind and investment costs' in 2025 but would make 'active choices' to support staff and customers members amid cost-of-living challenges.
Co-op warned cost hits would include another £80 million from the impact of shoplifting across its retail estate, following an £80 million bill from this in 2024, and £50 million from the increase in national insurance contributions.
Its funeralcare arm was boosted by a 2.8 per cent jump in revenues to £289 million and notched up a jump in profits to £103 million from £13 million in 2023 thanks to an increase in funeral plan investment returns.
Underlying earnings also lifted across its legal and insurance businesses, to £27 million and £15 million respectively.
The group said it remained on track to hit its membership target of eight million by 2030 and open more than 120 new retail and franchise shops by the end of 2025.
