200 jobs go in Bass pub changes

BASS, Britain's biggest brewer, has confirmed it is to shed 200 of the 1,300 office-based staff who work in support services to Bass Taverns, writes Martin Flanagan.

The reorganisation was aimed at departing from Bass's tradition of regional companies and replacing it with 22 areas each headed by a retail director specialising in a type of trade such as community pubs or food outlets, a spokesman said. Each director would be in charge of 140 public houses.

'We are placing the emphasis on a specialisation of retailing skills,' he said, adding that customers would notice no difference following the changes.

It is understood names such as Charringtons and Mitchells & Butler will stay for the time being, although the whole issue of branding is being reviewed.

The move to category from geographical management at Bass follows similar moves by Courage.

Meanwhile, Dawson International, the textile group, is to shed 250 jobs at its US subsidiary, Dawson Home Furnishings. Its factory in Vienna, Ohio, is being phased out over the next six months. DHF currently employs 700.