Boohoo is considering shutting its ‘model’ factory on Leicester’s Thurmaston Lane.
According to reports from Drapers, the fashion group has confirmed that it entered a consultation last month, with under 100 employees effected.
A spokesperson for Boohoo Group told Drapers: “We opened Thurmaston Lane in January 2022 to support the group in several ways, including manufacturing, printing and training.”
They continued: “The role of our sites continues to evolve over time and, following significant investments at our Sheffield distribution centre and the opening of a new distribution centre in the USA, we must now take steps to continue to ensure we are a more efficient, productive and strengthened business.”
These factors have led the business to consider relocating some operations at Thurmaston Lane and consider the closure of the site. Boohoo is now in a period of consultation.
The company is planning to keep its quality assurance and ethical compliance staff.
The factory has been in the spotlight for controversy following a 2023 BBC Panorama investigation which indicated Boohoo’s failures to keep ethical production promises, and that some orders were being made by factories in Morocco and others in Leicester.
Boohoo has also been targeted over allegations of forced labour in factories, while previous investigations revealed unsafe conditions, a failure to pay minimum wage, and discount demands on suppliers.
