A major employer in Somerset has confirmed 280 jobs are being put at risk of redundancy as it looks to "discontinue" the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) arm of its workwear business.

US-based VF Corporation, the parent company of Williamson-Dickie, which makes Dickies Workwear, said it was entering into consultation with staff at the Dickies Workwear EMEA HQ in Midsomer Norton.

According to the company, the announcement follows a review of the Dickies Workwear business in EMEA.

VF said the current business model was “not in line” with finance performance expectations.

If the proposals are adopted, VF said it intended to complete the full business closure in the UK by March 31, 2021.

“This might affect employees based in the Williamson-Dickie EMEA HQ at Midsomer Norton,” a spokesperson for the firm said.

“Sadly, the proposal means that all roles at that site are at risk of redundancy, so this will now be the subject of consultation with employees.

“All affected employees have been given time to process this news and are not expected to work as normal today.

“We will do everything we can to fully support our colleagues through the consultation period and beyond, and will treat them fairly and with respect.

“We appreciate that Dickies Workwear is a significant employer in Midsomer Norton and the decision to put forward this proposal was not taken lightly.”

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Williamson-Dickie Europe, originally called Clares, was founded in 1900 in Wells, in Somerset, to provide the agricultural industry with hardware and work clothing.

In the 1980s the business was acquired by Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing, based in Texas, before its acquisition by VF Corporation in 2017.

VF is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies, with brands including Vans, The North Face, Timberland and Dickies.