LEADERS of a number of Swindon businesses have had urgent talks to discuss the implications of Consignia's decision to close down its parcels and regional distribution centres in South Marston, with the loss of 300 jobs.

The closure news came as the company gave details of more than 15,000 job losses and the closing of four of its regional depots, including the South Marston operation, as part of a restructure plan to stem operating losses of more than £1.5 million a day.

Following the news a group of Swindon businesses, all heavily dependent on the posting large volumes of mail, to assess the implications on their operations.

Alan Halfacre, chairman of GWC Group, who attended the meeting, told the Evening Advertiser: "As a volume mailer in Swindon I have grave concerns that this action will leave Consignia being able to maintain the service levels at their current standards, yet alone bring them up to its own targets.

"Consignia moving large volumes of mail to its distribution centre in Bristol for sorting is moving the majority of it in the wrong direction.

"It makes no sense either in cost, speed of delivery or environmentally to do this.

"Having a local Royal Mail distribution centre here in Swindon is key to customer communication of many major local businesses.

"Timely nationwide delivery will not be achievable if the additional routing through Bristol is required.''

Local companies producing high volumes of mail include: GWC Group, Readers Digest. Book Club Associates, Nationwide, Vertis, Zurich Financial Services, ADM Group, Thames Water, Farepak Hampers, and the Bible Society.