Zonal Retail Data Systems makes 16 redundant

EPOS technology supplier Zonal Retail Data Systems is to cut its 180-strong workforce by just under 10 per cent as the market for its services contracts.

Zonal, which supplies electronic point of sales systems to thousands of the country's pubs and restaurants, said it was "taking actions to reduce costs".

Some 16 jobs are going; four are being lost in the account management department, with others spread throughout the business.

Speculation had it that up to half the company's account management team - which would have equated to 25 people - was being made redundant.

However Martina Baletkova, Zonal's sales and marketing director, refuted this.

"The changes are not affecting the entire team," she said.

"We are responding to uncertainty in the market. Our customers are being affected so we too will be affected by what is happening," she added.

Baletkova also denied the suggestion that the group's 'Aztec' EPOS management system had been besieged with problems.

"As far as I know there have been no complaints about Aztec, which we have installed into around 1,300 sites, mainly pubs but also some restaurants."

Zonal's managing director Stuart McLean said: "It is with regret that we have made 16 positions redundant.

"We have reviewed our overall operations and where necessary costs have been reduced with no impact on Zonal's development or support capability. By taking this action now we will provide a stronger operating base to manage our business through these uncertain times.

"The Zonal management team remains focused on delivering first class products and services to our customers and positioning the company for long-term growth and success", he added.