SAINSBURY’S has confirmed the exact date it will shut its remaining 61 in-store cafes as part of a major shake up.
One of the UK’s biggest supermarkets will close the dozens of cafes on April 11.
Sainsbury’s is closing 61 in-store bakeries on April 11[/caption]
It comes after Sainsbury’s first announced the closures in January.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “In January, we shared the difficult decision that our remaining Sainsbury’s cafes would be closing and this will take place on April 11.
“We are sorry for any disappointment this may cause.
“Our stores continue to support the customers and communities they serve in a range of ways, including through fundraising, volunteering and donations to good causes.
“We’re exploring future opportunities for the space and will keep our colleagues and customers updated.”
Sainsbury’s previously said the decision to close its remaining 61 in-branch cafes was being taken due to lower footfall, with its hybrid cafe and food halls becoming more popular.
It is likely to replace the cafes with restaurants run by franchises, such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
The cafe closures come as part of a wider shake up of Sainsbury’s’ store estate announced at the start of the year.
The retailer is also axing all remaining patisserie, bakery, rotisserie and pizza counters in its larger branches.
We have asked Sainsbury’s when these counters will close and will update this story when we have heard back.
The most popular items currently being sold from patisserie and pizza counters will be moved to shelves elsewhere in stores.
It means shoppers will still be able to get hold of popular bakery items, while self-service bread slicing machines will be phased in.
Chickens usually sold at the rotisserie counters will be shifted to hot cabinets next to sandwich fridges.
A Sainsbury’s insider previously said the freed-up counter spaces will be replaced with areas selling gluten-free and dairy-free products.
Full list of Sainsbury’s cafes closing
- Fosse Park
- Pontypridd
- Rustington
- Scarborough
- Penzance
- Denton
- Wrexham
- Longwater
- Ely
- Pontllanfraith
- Emersons Green
- Nantwich
- Pinhoe Road
- Pepper Hill – Northfleet
- Marshall Lake
- Rhyl
- Lincoln
- Bridgemead
- Larkfield
- Whitchurch Bargates
- Sedlescombe Road
- Barnstaple
- Dewsbury
- Kings Lynn Hardwick
- Truro
- Warren Heath
- Godalming
- Hereford
- Chichester
- Bognor Regis
- Newport
- Talbot Heath
- Rugby
- Cannock
- Leek
- Winterstoke Road
- Hazel Grove
- Morecambe
- Darlington
- Monks Cross
- Marsh Mills
- Springfield
- Durham
- Bamber Bridge
- Weedon Road
- Hempstead Valley
- Hedge End
- Bury St Edmunds
- Thanet Westwood Cross
- Stanway
- Castle Point
- Isle of Wight
- Keighley
- Swadlincote
- Leicester North
- Wakefield Marsh Way
- Torquay
- Waterlooville
- Macclesfield
- Harrogate
- Cheadle
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive, said in January the supermarket was facing a “challenging cost environment”.
He added: “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.”
Sainsbury’s also announced plans in January to cull 3,000 jobs from its head office.
It will see about 20% of senior management roles cut as part of plans to focus on fewer, bigger roles.
The cuts were announced despite Sainsbury’s toasting its “biggest ever” Christmas trading period.
However, the retailer is also looking to cut costs by £1 billion-a-year, and last year it cut about 1,500 roles, mostly from a contact centre in Cheshire.
The company said in late 2024 that tax increases from the October Budget would hit it with an extra £140 million in costs, warning that the changes would also lead to higher inflation.
The Government has hiked employer National Insurance contributions from 13.8% to 15%.
The threshold at which bosses now have to pay tax on workers’ pay has also been lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.
Meanwhile, the national minimum wage has been hiked, adding pressure to retail bosses.
SUPERMARKETS AXING SECTIONS
Sainsbury’s is not the first supermarket to announce a major overhaul of its stores.
Last month, Morrisons said it will shut 52 cafes and 17 stores and axe a number of in-store services.
The shake up puts around 365 workers at risk of redundancy.
Rami Baitiéh, chief executive of Morrisons, said the plans would allow the supermarket to invest in other areas of the business.
The 17 stores that are closing are smaller Daily convenience branches.
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