Threat to jobs as Waitrose to close stores

There may be job losses in Staffordshire as supermarket giant Waitrose makes changes to its structure and shakes up its network of branches.

Portland Street in Leek has been earmarked for closure alongside four other stores in the UK deemed to be under-performing.

The supermarket chain said that 498 staff across the five shops could face discussions about redundancy and a further 180 roles throughout the rest of the business may be lost over the next three years after management roles are restructured.

Waitrose retail director Ben Stimson said:

Other stores that may be closed are based in Hertford, Staines, Huntingdon and Cardiff.

Waitrose also said there were plans underway to open eight new shops and create 600 jobs this year.

Growth sales went up 3.4% sales year on year in the 12 weeks to January 29, according to data published on Tuesday.