Morrisons to shut 132 loss-making McColl's stores

Morrisons is planning to shut more than 100 loss-making McColl’s stores, putting around1,300 jobs at risk.

The supermarket chain announced in May that it had agreed to buy McColl’s out of administration for £190m.

The company said on Tuesday that there are 132 stores "where there is no realistic prospect of achieving a breakeven position in the medium term". The chain said all staff at risk from the closures will be offered other roles.

Joseph Sutton, Morrisons convenience, online and wholesale director, said: "We have a great deal of work to do but there's no question that McColl's is a business with strong potential.

"I'm confident that the combination of McColl's conveniently located stores and great colleagues together with Morrisons scale, brand, systems and fresh food expertise will lead to a transformation of the business.

"We very much regret the proposed closure of 132 loss-making stores but it is, very sadly, an important step towards the regeneration of the business."