NEARLY 20 shopworkers in Bradford and Keighley are facing possible redundancy after their sites were excluded from a rescue deal at shoe retailer Brantano which saved more than 1,300 jobs.

Brantano has been bought out of administration by a company controlled by Alteri Investors, which initially acquired the brand four months ago.

The deal has saved 140 stores, including the Brantano concession with three staff at Tong Garden Centre, Bradford.

But the stores on Manningham Lane, Bradford, and Hard Ings Road, Keighley, which employ eight and ten staff respectively, are among 58 branches excluded from the sale whose futures are still to be decided.

PwC's Tony Barrell, Mike Jervis and Rob Hunt, who were appointed joint administrators of Brantano (UK) Ltd in January after the chain was hit by difficult trading conditions, are continuing to have discussions with potential buyers for the remaining 58 Brantano shops.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator, said: "We continue to trade the remaining Brantano business whilst discussions with interested parties continue. Unfortunately, in the event further sales are not possible, redundancies will become inevitable.

"We are working closely with Brantano employees and offering every support possible through this difficult period.”

The Guiseley Brantano branch was among those to have been closed as a result of the company's problems.

Meanwhile, Heckmondwike-based machine tools producer The 600 Group has launched a £1 million cost-cutting programme and warned about full-year profits following a slowdown in demand in the United States and Europe.

The AIM listed distributor, designer and manufacturer of industrial products said in a trading update that customers were leaving machine tool orders as late as possible, leaving the business with a one month forward order book.

The weakness in its European markets had spread to the US, particularly for machine tools.

It said steps had been taken to reduce overheads and improve factory efficiencies to save around £1 million.

The statement said "In addition, the benefits from the integration of the TYKMA and Electrox laser businesses are now producing improved margins. The sales and marketing initiatives in both divisions are gradually showing signs of success despite the poor market conditions.

"However, these improvements and the restructuring benefits are unlikely to offset the effects of the volume decline from the market weakness in the machine tool industry."