JOBS have been saved at a major south Essex employer after a huge logistics firm took over the former Basildon Argos depot.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s revealed plans to shut down the site, in Miles Gray Road, and another warehouse in Heywood, Greater Manchester, as part of an overhaul that will impact more than 1,400 jobs.

Now, it has been confirmed that logistics company DHL has taken over the site with Sainsbury’s bosses claiming “all jobs” had been transferred to the new owners of the huge depot.

DHL will run the depot until October 2025 and a consultation will be launched with staff early next year with the option of staff being transferred to other DHL sites.

Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, said: “Saving jobs is good news, and the last thing we need is an increase in people looking for jobs.

“It shows that Basildon is robust with these sorts of things, but we need to continue to have faith and support in retail and the town centre.”

Under the initial plans, the supermarket giant is consolidating its five existing Sainsbury’s and Argos depots into three in order to simplify their business with workers able to “explore alternative roles” within the group.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said: “We announced in April that we are moving to three dedicated partnerships across our logistics network in order to simplify our business.

“As part of this change, DHL now operates the Basildon depot and all colleagues transferred to DHL.”

Sainsbury’s have said the changes, would improve availability, reduce stock and allow faster customer deliveries.

A spokesman for DHL Supply Chain said: “In line with Sainsbury’s supply chain transformation program announced in April, DHL has taken over the running of its Basildon site while it remains operational, which is currently scheduled to continue until October 2025.

“Colleagues at the site have been informed and will enter into consultation in early 2024 to discuss their options, including redeploying to other DHL operations locally.”