MORE than 100 Hampshire workers are to be left without a job as part of a cost cutting drive at a major DIY retailer.

B&Q is to axe 200 jobs across the country, of which around 130 are at its head office in Chandler’s Ford.

The company said it will try to redeploy people where it can and has confirmed that talks are ongoing with affected employees and their representative body, the National People’s Forum.

But changes could take effect as early as next month.

Helena Feltham, HR director at B&Q, said: “We recognise this is a difficult time for our colleagues and are supporting them in a number of ways.

“The new structure will improve efficiency, simplify ways of working, and reflect recent changes in the market and the number of B&Q stores.

“We want to be the leading home improvement company and make home improvement accessible to everyone.

“That means delivering great quality at prices that are truly affordable.

“To do that, we must operate differently.”

The retailer said there are no store-based roles at risk.

A B&Q employee who works at the head office in Chandler’s Ford and does not wish to be named said the news was totally unexpected.

They added: “We knew there may be a restructure, however, no job losses were foreseen.

“B&Q is such a family-like business, it’s sad to see some genuinely good people leave.”

The employee said those affected have been offered either a pay out or the chance to apply for a new job.

Those who decide to accept the pay out will have to leave the company immediately, while those who want to apply for another job will have an interview next week, they claimed.

Mark Baulch, from Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are always saddened to hear of job losses.

“Many of our members will be in a position to offer support to those affected, through current vacancies and provision of re-training, so we welcome any opportunity to assist in this way.”

B&Q has 295 stores across the country and 27,000 employees.

Its head office in Chandler’s Ford opened in 2011.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies offered her sympathies to those affected by the losses.

The Conservative said: “I appreciate that this will be a difficult time for those affected by these changes at B&Q, and understand that the organisation is actively looking to redeploy people wherever possible.

“I am pleased that they will provide job seeker and other support as needed, and are offering an enhanced redundancy package.

“There is a mixed picture of jobs locally right now, with some new opportunities opening up, and then in some cases a company is restructuring which will mean a difficult time for some families.”