The health and beauty retailer’s store closure programme, which will impact just under 10% of its store estate, will focus on stores in locations where the retailer already operates multiple outlets.

The move follows retailer’s US parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance’s chief executive Stefano Pessina’s pledged to cut costs across the group to the tune of $1bn (£800m) in three years in December.

Boots UK managing director Seb James said: “WBA has now approved an outline plan to consolidate around 200, principally local pharmacy, stores where we have a large number within close proximity.