A HIGH street store has announced job losses nationwide.

Tesco will not state if any workers will be made redundant in the county when it announced 4,500 jobs would go in 153 of its Express and Metro stores.

Jason Tarry, United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland CEO, said: “In a challenging, evolving retail environment, with increasing cost pressures, we have to continue to review the way we run our stores to ensure we reflect the way our customers are shopping and do so in the most efficient way.

“We do not take any decision which impacts colleagues lightly, but have to make sure we remain relevant for customers and operate a sustainable business now and in the future.”

The cuts are designed to “simplify and reduce processes and administrative tasks”.

The store will also make changes in 134 of 1,750 its Express stores where customer “footfall is lower”.

Changes in these stores will include a reduction in opening hours during the quieter periods.

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The Metro format was originally designed for larger, weekly shops, but today nearly 70% of customers use them as convenience stores, buying food for that day.

Tesco management are now focusing their efforts on find alternative roles within the chain for as many as possible.

The chain was founded 100 years ago by Jack Cohen.

Currently within Worcester, there are four Express stores located on Foregate Street, Martley Road, Brindley Road and Mill Wood Drive.

There are no Metro stores found using an internet store in the county.