Jobs under threat as Blackpool's Squires Gate Argos is to shut

The catalogue-style shop group was bought by Sanisbury's in 2016 and has since moved many Argos counters inside the big supermarkets to cut costs.

Last year, as coronavirus lockdown left many non-essential items shops shut, Sainsbury's bosses announced they were speeding up the process and were to close 420 Argos branches leaving just 100 stand alone stores nationally.

In December, the group confirmed that the Cleveleys' Argos in Victoria Road West was not going to reopen following lockdown. Now it has said the Squires Gate Argos will close in August, following any re-opening as the current lockdown eases. The store had opened in October 2011.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Any store that has not opened since March will remain closed; this includes the Blackpool Retail Park Argos store.

"While these stores have remained closed, many Argos colleagues have redeployed to help in other Argos stores and Sainsbury’s supermarkets. They will continue to do this during the consultation process and we will do everything possible to find them alternative roles within the business

"Later this year a brand new Argos store will open inside Sainsbury’s, St Annes. The Argos store will feature an Argos Pay@Browse area – when permitted, customers will be able to use the tablets to purchase what they want quickly and conveniently, as well as browse for products with Argos colleagues on hand to help."

Simon Roberts, chief executive of J Sainsbury plc said the company would work hard to offer alternative jobs to the majority of Argos staff.

In a statement last year he said: "Argos sales have been strong over the past six months and we have gained almost two million new customers as people have re-connected with Argos. Over the next three years we will make Argos a simpler, more efficient and more profitable business while still offering customers great convenience and value and improving availability.

“Given the unprecedented circumstances of this year and the challenges facing our colleagues, including the changes we are announcing today, I have informed the Board that if a bonus is payable, I will waive any bonus entitlement for this financial year."

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