Boots to cut 4,000 jobs and close 48 opticians

Health and beauty retailer Boots is to cut more than 4,000 jobs as it deals with the impact of coronavirus.

Parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance said the move will affect seven per cent of the workforce.

It plans to close 48 Boots Opticians stores and has outlined a 20 per cent staff reduction in its UK support office in Nottingham.

Retail sales at Boots plummeted by 48 per cent and 72 per cent at Boots Opticians in the last three months, compared to the same time last year.

Boots said the cuts are an 'acceleration' of its transformation plan.

Sebastian James, managing director of Boots UK, said: “The proposals announced today are decisive actions to accelerate our transformation plan, allow Boots to continue its vital role as part of the UK health system, and ensure profitable long-term growth. In doing this, we are building a stronger and more modern Boots for our customers, patients and colleagues.

"I am so very grateful to all our colleagues for their dedication during the last few challenging months.

"They have stepped forward to support their communities, our customers and the NHS during this time, and I am extremely proud to be serving alongside them.

"We recognise that today’s proposals will be very difficult for the remarkable people who make up the heart of our business, and we will do everything in our power to provide the fullest support during this time."