Staff at Tesco’s Fort William store are counting the cost of the supermarket giant’s decision to cut jobs and working hours.
It emerged last week that there will be redundancies at the High Street branch as the company overhauls its Metro brand.
The decision by bosses nationally was greeted with bitterness by local staff who spoke to the Press and Journal – but asked not to be named.
One employee said they and colleagues had been shocked to learn senior positions in the store were being cut and their working hours reduced.
They said: “It is a very worrying time for staff because we just don’t know what is happening to our jobs.”
Another added: “I would not be surprised if it is soon all self-service check outs and that customers might not see a member of staff at all.
“No one has consulted staff on what they think, of course, because at the end of the day, we don’t really matter. Every little helps, as long as it is in Tesco’s favour.”
A spokesman for Tesco said conversations have begun with staff across the UK as it makes operational changes to the way it runs Metro stores.
“Things are at an early stage and we are working one-to-one with colleagues,” he said.
“We will simplify and reduce processes and administrative tasks across all of our 153 Tesco Metro stores.
“The Metro format was originally designed for larger, weekly shops, but today nearly 70% of customers use them as convenience stores, buying food for that day.
“We are therefore simplifying the way we run our Metro stores.”
Jason Tarry, Tesco chief executive, added: “In a challenging and evolving retail environment, with increasing cost pressures, we have to continue to review the way we run our stores to ensure we reflect the way our customers are shopping and do so in the most efficient way.
“We do not take any decision which impacts colleagues lightly, but have to make sure we remain relevant for customers and operate a sustainable business now and in the future.”
