Shop! closure taints TV industry

BECTU has condemned Granada's plan to close its Shop! channel.

Responding to today's news that Granada is to close the Liverpool-based shopping channel Shop! with the loss of up to 140 posts, BECTU has said that the loss represents a major body blow to the industry's reputation, to young workers in broadcasting and to Liverpool.

"The staff at Shop! have worked with unfailing commitment since the Channel was launched three years ago and this news threatens to leave them angry and disillusioned with broadcasting" commented BECTU official Sharon Elliott.

"As a new venture, Shop! traded on the enthusiasm of a largely graduate workforce willing to accept poor pay and conditions in order to get a foothold in the industry. And while BECTU has achieved some improvements in staff terms, the reality is that the staff's commitment has not be repaid".

The proposed closure of Shop! follows closely on Granada's decision last summer to withdraw significantly from Wellbeing, it joint-venture with Boots the Chemists and from satellite channel Granada Breeze with the loss of some 100 posts.

That decision was soon followed by the announcement of further losses at Granada Lifestyle in January and the closure of Well-Being.

"It is largely younger workers keen to make their mark in the industry and employed on fixed term contracts with fewer rights who have been the casualties here" said Sharon Elliott.

"As Granada reviews its business and considers more new ventures, we hope the company will really examine how strong the business proposition is and how committed its partners are, to minimise the fallout for those who are most vulnerable - the staff.

"It is also a very unhappy coincidence that this news coincides with the final stages of planning for the introduction of new legislation in July to grant greater protection to staff working on fixed term contracts."

BECTU will be actively involved in the 3 month consultation period with Granada management due to start next week.