Sainsbury's is to close 200 of its in-store cafes next month, in a move that puts 2,000 jobs at risk.
The huge shake-up means just 67 cafes will remain open while the supermarket reviews its roll-out plans.
Sainsbury's has also confirmed it will close its less popular hot food counters in 34 stores.
The supermarket has already closed its fresh fish, cheese and meat counters in stores alongside Argos closures, which saw around 3,500 jobs cut.
Sainsbury's will also “simplify” the way it runs its bakery counters in 54 stores from next month as well, as part of the huge shake-up.
A statement from the grocer said it has spoken to all of its cafe workers about the closure plans, which will come into force in April.
Members of staff who are affected will be prioritised for vacant roles in Sainsbury’s stores and will be encouraged to explore alternative roles within the wider business, the company said.
Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive officer, said: “We are totally focused on improving what we can deliver for our customers and at the same time, working hard to make our business simpler.
“As we go through this period of transition, we have taken the difficult decision to close 200 of our cafes next month.
“We have spoken to all colleagues affected by these changes today and are absolutely committed to supporting them in any way we can during this uncertain time.
“Of course, we understand this is very unsettling for our colleagues, but we must keep adapting our business to make sure we are offering customers the best possible food and drink at affordable prices.”
The measures are part of a wider transformation of Sainsbury's food hub, which will see it transform its eat-in, takeaway and home delivery food and drink offerings in 250 stores.
The new concept, named The Restaurant Hub, is already underway at its Selly Oak store in Birmingham.
It means more cafes across the UK will be replaced with chains such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen in the coming months.
Around 30 more Starbucks coffee shops will open in stores over the next year.
Are you affected by the restructuring? Let us know at mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Which Sainsbury's cafes are closing?
Sainsbury's has so far refused to confirm a full list of the 200 in-store cafes that will be closing in April.
However, it has released a list of the 67 cafes that will stay open - so if your local Sainsbury's cafe isn't on this list, it will be closing:
Staying open
- Fosse Park
- Truro
- Rustington New
- Scarborough
- Marsh Mills
- Waterlooville
- Penzance
- Springfield
- Godalming
- Bognor Regis
- Kings Lynn Hardwick
- Thanet Westwood Cross
- Lincoln
- Ely
- Warren Heath
- Durham
- Monks Cross
- Emerson Grn
- Castle Point
- Bamber Bridge
- Longwater Lane
- Hazel Grove
- Weedon Rd
- Morecambe
- Leicester North
- Nantwich
- Pepper Hill
- Chichester
- Hereford
- Bury St.Edmunds
- Larkfield
- Cheadle
- Cannock
- Rugby
- Hedge End
- Harrogate
- Sedlescombe Rd
- Pinhoe Road
- Barnstaple
- Hempstead Valley
- Bridge Mead
- Wakefield - Marsh Way
- Swadlincote
- Torquay
- Talbot Heath
- Isle Of Wight
- Darlington
- Harlow
- Leek
- Dewsbury
- Marshall Lake
- Whitchurch
- Macclesfield
- Winterstoke Rd
- Preston
- Didcot
- Christchurch
- Denton
- Stroud
- Keighley
- Archer Road
- Stanway
- Pontypridd
- Rhyl
- Newport
- Wrexham
- Pontllanfraith
Confirmed as closing or being revamped
Sainsbury's told The Mirror that out of the 200 cafes that are closing, 140 will remain shut, 30 will become a Starbucks and 30 will become Restaurant Hubs.
The supermarket hasn't said which sites will close for good, but some of the cafes not on the list of 67 "safe" locations - and therefore, will either close or be revamped into a chain - include:
Weymouth
Ferndown, Ringwood Rd
Middlesbrough
Bishop Auckland
Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees
Silksworth Lane, Sunderland
Riverside Road, Sunderland
The Galleries Washington Centre
Gateshead
Bradford
Ipswich
Hadleigh Road
Sudbury Haverhill
Warrington
New Cross Gate
Huntingdon
White Rose Centre (Leeds)
Brislington Castle Court
Bedminster
Filto
If your local Sainsbury's cafe is closing, let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
