West Norfolk jobs at risk as Tesco announces overhaul of in-store bakeries

A number of jobs in West Norfolk are thought to be at risk after supermarket giant Tesco has today announced its intentions to adapt its in-store bakeries.

As part of the announcement, the retailer said 1,816 of its bakery employees are at risk of redundancy – but it is not yet known how many of these are based in West Norfolk.

The statement says the chain has seen a "big shift" in customer tastes and preferences in recent years, leading to a review into its bakery operation.

Jason Tarry, UK & ROI CEO of Tesco, said: “We need to adapt to changing customer demand and tastes for bakery products so that we continue to offer customers a market-leading bakery range in store.

"We know this will be very difficult for colleagues who are impacted, and our priority is to support them through this process. We hope that many will choose to stay with us in alternative roles.”

From May, changes at Tesco's large in-store bakeries will include altering space and range to cater to "changing customer demand, including the increase in alternatives to traditional loaves".

Scratch baking will still be offered in 257 stores, but in 201 stores the most popular products will continue to be baked from scratch, while other products will change to being part-baked, and in 58 stores, bakeries will be converted so that all products are delivered pre-prepared, then baked and finished in store.

The retailer says it is also improving the customer experience by investing and continuing to roll out new, up-to-date fixtures as well as growing its regional bakery ranges in partnership with small local suppliers.

The statement adds: "Due to some stores doing less scratch baking, as well as the simplified routines these changes will bring, we will unfortunately need fewer colleagues to work in these areas.

"As a result, there are 1,816 bakery colleagues being put at risk of redundancy.

"At this difficult time, our priority will be to support those colleagues impacted, including finding an alternative role from the many thousands of vacancies we will have available across our store networks between now and May, for those who wish to stay with us."

And shopworkers' trade union Usdaw has said it will be entering into collective consultation with Tesco following the announcement.

Pauline Foulkes, national officer, said: "This is devastating and upsetting news for our members who work in the bakery operations.

"Usdaw will be entering into collective consultation with Tesco to consider the business case for these planned changes over the coming weeks.

"Many of those affected by the proposed changes are skilled workers.

"While we will do everything possible to maintain jobs or support impacted staff to redeploy into alternative roles, the reality is the opportunities to find suitable alternative skilled roles may be limited for these workers.

"Usdaw representatives will be available to support and advise affected members during this difficult time and throughout the consultation period."