Boots looks to cut up to 350 posts in HQ restructure

Boots has nearly 2,500 stores across the UK

Up to 350 jobs are at risk at Boots after the high street chemist announced plans to reorganise its head office.

About 2,500 people work at the company's support office in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, and the company said it was looking to reduce overall costs there by 20%.

About 800 employees are now entering a 45-day consultation, part of a £1bn Walgreens Boots Alliance restructure.

The firm hoped to mitigate the impact by measures such as redeployment.

'Devastating news'

Boots is the largest private employer in Nottinghamshire, with about 5,800 people working at its Beeston site, which includes warehouse, manufacturing and distribution.

The company confirmed there were no plans to move out of the area.

Seb James, managing director Boots UK and ROI, said the company had to adapt to a changing marketplace.

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He said: "The vast majority of head office roles will be unaffected, and we intend to make sure that the number of people concerned is minimised through redeployment, natural attrition, flexible working and other measures.

"A consultation process with affected colleagues will begin immediately."

Daniel Adams, from the union USDAW, said: "This is clearly devastating news for those affected and the union will be doing all it can to support members during this time.

"We would urge the Company to engage with Usdaw as the trade union for Boots staff to ensure that all avenues to minimise the impact of these proposals are explored during this critical time."

The company said the final total of roles affected will not be known until after the consultation process. Warehouse staff are not affected by the changes.

Boots employs about 63,000 people and has 2,485 stores in the UK.