MORE than 25 workers at the P Williams Pharmacy group face the axe just weeks after the company was taken over by United Co-operatives.

The new owners have announced plans to shut down Nantwich World of Babies and P Williams' head office at the Paddock in London Road, Stapeley.

The closures, due to go ahead in July and August, will affect up to 28 staff, although United Co-op is working to find them alternative employment within the company.

The decision has been met with dismay by the workers.

One relative, who asked not to be named, said: "The people at Babyworld have been told that they're out of jobs on July 14, on top of making people redundant at Stapeley.

"They take over one week and the next minute they're putting people out of work."

United Co-operatives acquired the 56-branch P Williams group last month for an undisclosed sum, making United Co-op's health care group the UK's fifth largest pharmacy chain.

Following the sale of his family's business, managing director Steven Williams said that United Co-op shared P Williams' values and principles of investing in its people and its service to patients.

United Co-op spokesman Geoff Simpson confirmed that the office in Stapeley would close at the end of August, with World of Babies due to close in mid-July.

He explained that the World of Babies store was closing due to poor performance.

Mr Simpson said: "As far as the head office at the Paddock in Stapeley is concerned, we have told the staff that it will be closing down.

"When a takeover occurs, you don't need both head offices.

"There are 21 people potentially affected but we are making every effort to find them jobs in United Co-operative healthcare or elsewhere in United Co-op.

"That process is ongoing so while there is the possibility of redundancies no decisions have been made at the moment and we are speaking to the staff personally.

"It is against the background of our rapidly expanding base in the area.

"In terms of Babyworld in Nantwich, we have announced the closure due to poor performance in terms of its operation and trade position.

"Five people are employed there and we are talking to them about the possibility of redeployment."