Sainsbury's has confirmed the exact date when it will shut all of its remaining 61 in-store cafes as part of a major shake-up. The major UK supermarket chain .
The proposals also included closing all of its remaining hot food, pizza and patisserie counters in its nationwide. At the time, it said the shake-up could result in more than 3,000 job losses
has now confirmed that dozens of its supermarket cafes will be closing for food this week on April 11. The confirmation came from a statement released by the supermarket chain.
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.
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"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."
In January, claimed that most shoppers didn't use their cafes regularly and that coffee shops run by outside firms - such as Starbucks and Costa - in its stores were proving more popular. Although it has not been confirmed, it is believed Sainsbury's will replace the cafe spaces with restaurants run by franchises, such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK).
Sainsbury's has not yet confirmed its plans to close its patisserie, bakery, rotisserie, and pizza counters in its larger branches. Instead, these products will be moved to aisles. The chain claimed this would create space to offer "more fresh food ranges in more stores."
Alongside this, self-service bread slicing machines will be phased in. Chickens usually sold at the rotisserie counters will also 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.
Sainsbury's began speaking to staff affected by the changes back in January and said it was looking at ways some might be redeployed in the business. It also said it had provided a package to those affected that it claimed to "exceed statutory requirements".
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