An operational shake-up at fashion and general merchandise e-tailer Studio Retail is expected to put around 164 warehouse staff and a further 100 office staff at risk of redundancy, according to retail trade union USDAW.

The once-heavily indebted Lancashire-based business, which was bought out of administration two years ago by Frasers Group for £26.8 million, is proposing changes at three sites in Accrington, Trafford and Widnes, as falling sales hit operations.

A major restructure of operations at its Accrington warehouse is expected to reduce the overall number of staff employed from 258 to 94.

Changes are also understood to include the integration of the Widnes warehouse operations into the Accrington facility, which could result in the permanent closure of the Widnes warehouse.

There is also the proposed closure of its Trafford office, moving the functions to the Clayton office in Lancashire and Fraser’s Academy House based in London. A further 100 jobs here are believed to be at risk.

Plans also include the transfer of product services from Studio Retail to Frasers, with the permanent relocation of the department to Shirebrook.

The news is in stark contrast to a year ago when Studio Retail said it was creating 30 jobs in its first major expansion drive since being rescued by Frasers Group.

It was planning to add the new roles at its Hyndburn, Lancashire, administrative and operational functions base after a period of “significant growth and transformation”.

Frasers Group has yet to officially comment on the latest proposals.