Nottingham-based Alliance Boots to cut 900 posts

High street chemist Alliance Boots has unveiled plans to cut 900 non-retail posts to save millions of pounds.

The cuts, mainly at the firm's health and beauty division in Beeston, Nottingham, are aimed at saving £56m a year by 2013/2014.

The company said its workforce in Boots stores will not be affected by the plans, which are aimed at streamlining manufacturing operations.

The firm said the cuts will be made through staff turnover where possible.

Support offered

Alex Gourlay, chief executive of the firm's health and beauty division, said: "Since 2007, we have undertaken a number of steps to make our business more robust, investing significantly in our stores and commercial offering.

"This latest phase will enable us to have a stronger and more agile support infrastructure fit for the long-term future."

He said staff affected would be offered support and redeployed to other areas of the business where possible.

Labour MP for Nottingham South Lilian Greenwood said: "It's going to be a difficult time over the next few years anyway.

"And Boots is one of our biggest private sector employers so this is a bit of a blow.

"Obviously I'll be seeking to meet with managers and union reps and working to help to those who are affected."

She added that she had already prepared letters to go out to the chief executive of Boots and to Job Centre Plus to ensure those affected would be helped in their job search.

Alliance Boots employs 70,000 people in the UK.

Boots, which was founded in Nottingham in 1849, merged with French company Alliance in 2006.