Sales consultants made redundant by wholesaler Makro Cash & Carry UK were escorted out of the building by the fire escape, The Grocer has learned.

The majority of customer consultants who had each run a portfolio of around 150 customers were made redundant last Friday, as predicted by The Grocer. A further 75 staff at head office lost their jobs.

“It all came as a bit of a shock as we were called one by one to HR, read a statement, then escorted off the premises via the fire exit,” one consultant said, adding that the company had blamed the dismissals on adverse trading conditions and slow recovery.

Those made redundant have been asked to sign a compromise agreement, giving 90 days pay in lieu of notice and a month’s pay in lieu of consultation.