Co-op announces plans to axe 400 jobs in Manchester

About 4,000 employees are currently based at the support centre in Manchester

The Co-op has announced plans to axe 400 jobs after facing a "tough trading environment" amid the cost-of-living crisis.

The majority of the roles will be cut from the company's support centre on Angel Square in Manchester, where 4,000 employees are based.

A Co-op spokeswoman said it had made these changes "with a heavy heart".

But she added it was the "right thing to do for the long-term health" of the company.

"These changes, designed to simplify our approach to business, will sadly mean a number of colleagues in central functions will leave the business," she said.

"There are no changes to customer-facing roles and, where possible, we will reduce roles by not filling vacancies and through preferences to exit."