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Axminster Carpets, the historic Devon-based carpet manufacturer which supplies Buckingham Palace and Wetherspoons with bespoke flooring, is shedding jobs.

The shock move was announced to staff today, with the decision to streamline the business blamed on "sustained uncertainly" around the UK's decision to leave the EU.

A statement issued by its Managing Director, Jonathan Young, this evening (September 10) reads: "Axminster Carpets has been fundamentally repositioned during the last couple of years during which time the business has seen good growth in sales, launch of new products, improved customer service and further development of its brand.

"The current market outlook is however more challenging with the sustained uncertainty relating to Brexit leading to a lack of consumer-spending confidence.

"Axminster Carpets is a proud British manufacturer which fully recognises the essential part that its employees play in delivering such exceptional products.

"The company is therefore working very closely with its employees whilst it implements a process to streamline its operations in order to make sure it is positioned for a sustainable future.

"The company is therefore asking its employees if anyone would like to take the opportunity of voluntary redundancy which may work for both parties.

"The company would like to take the opportunity to express regret at having to make such difficult changes.

"We would like to thank those employees who are impacted by these changes and are sure that their dedication and that of the remaining workforce will ensure the ongoing production of great products whilst the company pushes into new areas."

It is not known how many redundancies are being made.

It follows problems faced by the firm in 2013, when it announced to its 400 staff that it had entered administration. The company was soon saved.

Axminster Carpets has been designing and weaving 100 per cent wool and wool rich carpets and rugs in Axminster since 1755.

In 2012 it was awarded a Royal Warrant for the supply of goods and services to the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace.

Other carpets supplied by the firm include train carriages, airlines, and every Wetherspoon pub in the UK has its own bespoke carpet design.

Devon Live will publish further details and reaction to this news story in due course.