Tesco to axe 1,800 roles in store bakery shake-up

The grocer said it is planning to alter the space and range in its bakeries from May in a bid “to cater to changing customer demand”, which has seen shoppers switch from traditional loaves of bread to alternatives like wraps, bagels and flatbreads.

Tesco will continue to offer scratch baking in 257 stores but will change the way it produces baked goods in 259 other large supermarkets.

In 201 shops, Tesco will continue to scratch bake its “most popular” products, while other items will move to part-baked.

Products will be delivered pre-prepared before being baked and finished in-store at 58 other Tesco branches.

The supermarket giant said that, as a result of the move to less scratch baking, it will “unfortunately need fewer colleagues to work in these areas”.

A total of 1,816 roles will be made redundant under the plans, but Tesco said it would seek to redeploy impacted staff in other areas of the business.

It has now launched a consultation with all impacted staff, who were informed of the changes earlier today.

Tesco UK and Ireland boss Jason Tarry said: “We need to adapt to changing customer demand and tastes for bakery products so that we continue to offer customers a market-leading bakery range in store.

“We know this will be very difficult for colleagues who are impacted, and our priority is to support them through this process. We hope that many will choose to stay with us in alternative roles.”

Usdaw national officer Pauline Foulkes said: “This is devastating and upsetting news for our members who work in the bakery operations. Usdaw will be entering into collective consultation with Tesco to consider the business case for these planned changes over the coming weeks.

“Many of those affected by the proposed changes are skilled workers. While we will do everything possible to maintain jobs or support impacted staff to redeploy into alternative roles, the reality is the opportunities to find suitable alternative skilled roles may be limited for these workers.

“Usdaw representatives will be available to support and advise affected members during this difficult time and throughout the consultation period.”