Sainsbury’s to cut 3,000 jobs by closing cafés and counters

Sainsbury’s has announced it will cut 3,000 jobs as it shuts down its remaining cafés and closes its patisserie and pizza counters.

The supermarket said the move would “simplify the business”, adding that “the majority of Sainsbury’s most loyal shoppers do not use the cafés regularly”.

Sainsbury’s also said there would be “an estimated 20% reduction in senior management roles over the next few months”.

The retailer is in the midst of a plan to make £1bn of cost savings, and chief executive Simon Roberts said the chain had to had to make “tough choices”.

“We are facing into a particularly challenging cost environment,” said Mr Roberts.

“The decisions we are announcing today are essential to ensure we continue to drive forward our momentum but have also meant some difficult choices impacting our dedicated colleagues in a number of parts of our business.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to support anyone impacted by today’s announcements.”