Waitrose to close four UK stores with 124 jobs at risk - see if your local is affected

Supermarket giant Waitrose has announced plans to permanently close four stores, in addition to eight John Lewis outlets across the UK.

The retailer said the struggling branches will be axed in December, with 124 workers now on consultation.

Waitrose stores in Caldicot, Ipswich Corn Exchange and Shrewsbury branches are affected, with the grocer’s Wolverhampton outlet set to be sold to Tesco.

The announcements form part of a Waitrose restructuring that started in 2017, the grocer said.

Caldicot, Ipswich Corn Exchange and Shrewsbury will all close on December 6, while Wolverhampton will close on December 31.

The chain said its Ipswich supermarket in Futura Park will remain open.

As a result of the cuts, 124 jobs are at risk, however all 140 workers in Wolverhampton will be transferred to the new Tesco store.

A total of 124 jobs are on the line
(Image: PA)

Those who have worked with the business for more than a year will receive two weeks’ pay for every year of service.

Workers with less than one year’s service will receive one week’s contractual pay.

Bérangère Michel, executive director of customer Service at Waitrose, said: “Closing any of our shops is always a last resort and is not a reflection on the dedication of our Partners in Caldicot, Ipswich Corn Exchange, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.

“Sadly, we have not been able to find a way to make these shops profitable in the long-term, despite the hard work of everyone involved.

“Our priority now is the wellbeing and future of our Partners in these shops. We will do everything we can to support them and explore opportunities wherever possible for those who may wish to remain with the Partnership.”

Last month it emerged that John Lewis is preparing to axe its 95-year-old price promise as part of a major revamp sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.

The department store chain is hoping to overhaul its ‘Never Unknowingly Undersold’ pledge, amid eight store closures.

The stores affected are Croydon, Swindon, Tamworth, Newbury, Heathrow Terminal two, London St Pancras station, Birmingham Bullring and Watford.

The retailer said the affected stores are no longer “commercially viable”.

In a statement, John Lewis said: “This is a very sad occasion and one we never thought was imaginable when we first opened these shops.

“Our expectation was that we would trade in these locations for many years to come, but they were financially challenged before the pandemic and we have not been able to find a way that would allow us to turn that around.

“We are grateful to those who have expressed their support since announcing the proposed closure last month, and for the incredible professionalism our partners have shown – they remain our absolute priority and will be fully supported over the coming weeks.”

It came after the chain’s chairman told 80,000 employees that its prized bonus may be scrapped next year as the company struggles to ramp up sales.