Sainsbury’s plans to close its in-store cafes in Essex, impacting jobs and shifting food offerings to aisles for a fresh approach
The supermarket chain says most people don’t use the cafes much anymore. Instead, they’re seeing more customers flock to coffee shops like Starbucks inside their stores. So, they’re moving hot food and bakery items to the aisles to make room for fresh food options.
This isn’t the first time Sainsbury’s has made cuts. Back in March 2022, they closed 200 cafes, affecting around 2,000 jobs. Now, they’re looking at closing 61 more cafes, including those in Essex.
Sainsbury’s is talking to affected staff about their options. They’re trying to redeploy some workers and offering support packages that go beyond what’s legally required. But it’s still a tough pill to swallow for many.
Despite making over £700 million in profit last year, the Unite union is calling out Sainsbury’s for prioritizing profits over workers. They’re saying it’s unfair that lower-paid workers are bearing the brunt of these changes while higher-ups remain safe.
Sainsbury’s CEO, Simon Roberts, insists these decisions are necessary for the company’s future. He says they’re focused on making good food accessible and affordable. But for now, the future looks uncertain for many employees in Essex.
