EMPLOYEES at Travis Perkins in Stroud have been spared the axe, it has been confirmed.

There had been some fears of redundancies after the company announced plans to cut 600 jobs and close more than 30 branches.

The company – the largest builders' merchant in the UK – said it had been forced to make cuts in the face of "uncertain" trading in the year ahead.

But a spokesman from the firm today confirmed to the SNJ that the company would not be cutting any jobs in Stroud.

“We can confirm that the Travis Perkins on Bath Road, Stroud is not affected by yesterday’s announcement,” a spokesman said.

The UK builders' merchant, which also owns the Wickes brand, had said redundancies come across its trade brands such as Travis Perkins, Benchmarx, and plumbing and heating businesses BSS and PTS.

However Wickes - and its other business Toolstation - are not affected.

Ten smaller distribution centres will close under the plans.

The company's chief executive, John Carter, 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 £40-50m this year."

The company employs 28,000 people and has 2,060 stores nationwide.

Profits will be lower than expected this year due to weak sales in its plumbing and heating division.

No one at the Stroud branch was available to comment.