Worry and bad news keeps coming for workers in East Kilbride after Boots announced they are to cut more than 4000 jobs.
That’s as part of their efforts to mitigate the “significant impact” of COVID-19.
The high street pharmacy chain said the move will affect around seven per cent of their workforce – a large chunk of this is expected to be at its Nottingham support office.
It will also affect some deputy and assistant manager, beauty adviser and customer adviser roles across its stores. The restructuring will also result in the closure of 48 Boots Opticians stores.
The announcement spells the start of a nervy time for staff at the five East Kilbride stores.
That includes two stores in the Plaza, one in Princes Mall, Brouster Hill and Kingsgate Retail Park in East Kilbride.
The US owners of the pharmacy chain said their retail sales had tumbled by 48 per cent over the past three months in the face of the pandemic.
Its opticians business saw sales dive by 72 per cent compared to the same quarter last year as people stayed at home. The numbers are despite Boots keeping swathes of its stores open to customers.
Boots said that the cuts represent an “acceleration” of its transformation plans to improve profitably across the business.
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.
“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.”
“In doing this, we are building a stronger and more modern Boots for our customers, patients and colleagues.
“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.”
Walgreens Boots Alliance was formed in 2014 after Walgreens bought the 55 per cent stake in UK and Switzerland-based Boots Alliance that it did not already own.
