100 jobs to go at Booths

The Booths store at Highfield Road, Marton, which is to close its doors

The news comes after The Gazette yesterday revealed how Booths’ Marton store, on Highfield Road, is set to close its doors, with another closure at Ansdell already announced.

Staff at the Marton store are now being consulted on the move. There is expected to be 10 full-time jobs lost, with the majority of staff expected to move to other Booths stores, including at Heyhouses Lane, St Annes, and the redeveloped Teanlowe Centre in Poulton.

But yesterday, the Lancashire-based firm announced 100 further management positions will be lost at stores across the company.

Staff were told of the news at around 2.30pm.

A statement from the firm said: “Booths is undergoing a proposed restructure in how it manages its stores, with a view to becoming more efficient and offering better customer service.

“The suggested change will see heads of department and assistant manager roles replaced by three management positions with greater accountability and responsibility.

“The proposed change will see the management structure reduced by 100 positions.”

Booths Retail Director, Paul Minett said there would be a “simplified and more accountable management structure, trading from an estate of profitable, vibrant stores.

“The difficult and tough decisions that we make now will ensure that Booths continues to have a bright and profitable future for generations to come.”

Booths has 31 stores across Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire and employs around 3,000 people.

A spokeswoman said the company could not confirm how many of the proposed job losses would be in the Lancashire area.

The news comes as Gazette readers reacted with disappointment over plans to close the Marton Booths store.

Reader Michelle Crane wrote: “So sad. I worked there as a teenager and I absolutely love it.

“This store has women and men that have worked there for decades because they love it. Where else has that?

“They love the community and know who you are and actually ask how you are.”

Another former Booths employee, Joanne Cherry, added: “I worked there for a long time made some great friends. Will miss popping to my local shop and seeing all the happy faces and pleasant staff.”

And shopper Amanda Elliott said: “Really disappointed, we shop here regularly but if we have to now drive to St Annes or Poulton that means passing all these other supermarkets and the reality is we’ll just shop there instead.

“Not sure why the Highfield Road store has to close.”