THE UK headquarters of the Steelcase office furniture company at Margate is to close with the loss of about 100 jobs.

Managing director Jim Mitchell said that the business at Westwood industrial estate will shut down by the end of October and that staff will be given help to find alternative employment.

He said: “We are aware of the impact this decision will have on our UK employees and will provide career advice and support to assist them in finding alternative employment.” It has not yet been revealed how many jobs will go.

Representatives from Right Coutts, a job search specialist company, will meet workers individually to help them plan their future.

Mr Mitchell said: “We will notify local Job Centres, our suppliers and other manufacturing companies to ask if they are in a position to recruit. Steelcase has good and close relationships with trades union representatives who have already been informed of our decision. Consultation will begin in the next few days and we will ensure all employees are effectively represented.

“We will also work with local authorities and interested parties to review possible ideas for the future of the site.”

Steelcase has supplied half its UK demand from the Margate plant but all sales will now fulfilled from plants making the same products throughout Europe and beyond.

Mr Mitchell said: “In order to balance long-term demand and capacity, Steelcase continuously assesses its European industrial base. As a consequence we have reorganised some production lines and closed facilities in other locations.”