SHOCKED Shop Direct staff said they were “devastated” and “disappointed” by yesterday’s announcement that the company's Burnley operation is to close with the loss of 450 jobs.

Staff at the Kingsway building were told to stop taking calls immediately and attend a meeting in the briefing room at about 10am, and within an hour they were leaving work for the day, with many lives turned upside down.

Hundreds of workers looked shell-shocked as they filed out of the office, with many waiting for taxis or lifts, and around 30 heading to a town centre pub to drown their sorrows.

Julie Pickard, of Harle Syke, who has worked for the firm for 18 years, said the news had come out of the blue.

She said: “Like any company you have your ups and downs, but this is a massive shock, I’m so disappointed.

“You hear about the country coming out of the recession only days ago, but this is a disaster for Burnley, it’s always been one of the biggest employers in the town.”

Nancy Brown, of Coal Clough Lane, who has worked for Shop Direct for 11 years, said: “I guess you could have seen it coming – we only use around half of the building now.

“It is going to be difficult if you have 500 people looking for jobs with the climate as it is.

“You never expect it to happen to you though, it’s shocking, it was horrible when we were called in.”

As staff left the building, having been told to take the rest of the day off and return today, many gathered to talk about the situation and console each other.

One young worker, who did not want to be named, said her future plans had been left in tatters.

“I’ve got a meeting at the bank on Saturday about getting a mortgage,” she said.

“I’ve got so many plans for the house and had everything in mind.

“This news has completely ruined those dreams, I’m devastated.”

Another worker, who had been at the firm for 25 years, said: “I absolutely love this job, I’m devastated.

“It’s only a consultation and the unions will fight it but I don’t hold much hope, once they have made their mind up these things usually go through.”

Another said: “It’s unbelievable really, it’s a total shock.

"People are going to have to move or travel for work because there will simply not be enough jobs to go around.”

As activity outside the Kingsway office died down, many staff were in the Boot Inn drowning sorrows and trying to cheer each other up.