Lerwick’s Co-op store to cut 14 jobs

The Lerwick Co-operative supermarket is to shed the equivalent of 14 full-time jobs, it was announced today.

A spokesman for The Co-operative Group said a review of the hours needed to operate stores had been carried out and the cuts would bring the Lerwick shop into line with other Co-operative outlets.

He said: “We have conducted a review of staffing levels at our stores, including Lerwick, to introduce fairer and more consistent standards across The Co-operative estate. This includes introducing a more accurate way of determining the optimum number of working hours required to run each store, while maintaining the same level of service across all our outlets.

“Unfortunately, this means a reduction in the total number of working hours at a number of stores, including Lerwick. We are now in discussions with colleagues to discuss the impact of this and how it will be implemented.

“The reduction in hours at Lerwick is equivalent to around 14 full-time members of staff. Should there be any redundancies, every effort will be made to redeploy anyone affected within The Co-operative, or to help them find alternative employment.”

The review of staffing levels was at all Co-operative stores across the UK. In Scotland 12 are affected, and UK-wide 35 are affected.

The spokesman added: “I don’t have a timescale. The next step is to discuss with colleagues in the store how this reduction in hours will be implemented. In the first instance, we will be seeking volunteers who wish to apply for redundancy.

He stressed that the job cuts would not mean any reduction in the store’s opening hours, which will remain the same. The cuts will purely be in hours worked by staff.

The Co-op shop at Brae is not affected.