JOB losses at local branches of builder’s merchant Travis Perkins have been avoided after Bromsgrove and Redditch have not been included in plans to close over 30 branches.

Travis Perkins – which has branches on Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, and Howard Road, Redditch – announced closures in the face of "uncertain" customer demand in 2017.

An estimated 600 jobs nationwide are expected to be lost, however Bromsgrove and Redditch branches have avoided the axe. 

A spokesperson on behalf of the company told The Advertiser: "I can confirm that branches in Bromsgrove and Redditch are not affected by this announcement."

The overhaul comes as the company said full-year underlying earnings would be "slightly" lower-than-expected, while it cautioned over the outlook for 2017.

John Carter, Chief Executive, said: "It is still too early to predict customer demand in 2017 with certainty and we will continue to monitor our lead indicators closely.

"Given this uncertainty we will be closing over 30 branches and making further efficiency driven changes in the supply chain, resulting in an exceptional charge of £40-50 million this year.

"We have a proven track record developed over many years of taking swift action to take advantage of opportunities as they arise in whichever part of the cycle we find ourselves."

Travis Perkins have said they have an ongoing strategy to optimise the company which involves opening and closing branches, including 20 new branches and 4000 new workers this year.

The company, which employs 28,000 staff throughout its 2060 locations in the UK, is also closing 10 smaller distribution centres and is reviewing its plumbing and heating division.

Travis Perkins is half-way through a five-year overhaul of the group, which is seeing it shut unprofitable stores and expand in better performing areas.