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Tesco to close second Bristol store
Tesco has announced plans to close a second Homeplus store in Bristol on the back of its worst ever financial results.
Seventy-seven jobs are at risk at the homeware and furniture store at the Imperial Retail Park in Hartcliffe, following the closure of another Homeplus store at Cribbs Causeway earlier this year.
However, the supermarket giant has insisted it still plans to open a controversial new store off Hanham High Street which has already triggered protests from residents and local MP Chris Skidmore.
A Tesco spokesman said: “We’ve taken the difficult decision to close our remaining six Homeplus stores, including our Bristol Homeplus store. Our priority is now to explain what this announcement means for our colleagues and, wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with Tesco.
“We would like to thank all customers who have shopped in our store and will continue to serve them through our local stores and our Tesco Direct service.”
He added: “It remains our intention to open our planned store in Hanham, Bristol. We are not yet in a position to confirm an opening date.”
Tesco announced a pre-tax loss of £6.4 billion in February, the worst loss in its history. The supermarket is still under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office for overstating its profits last August.
The supermarket currently has 18 stores within two miles of Bristol city centre.
The chain hit the headlines in Bristol in 2011 when a demonstration over the opening of a new store in Stokes Croft escalated into a full-scale riot.
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