Tesco is to close its two standalone food to go stores in London, as CEO Dave Lewis continues to make cutbacks in order to focus on its core business.
The retailer said it would close its stores in Villiers Street and Philpot Lane on 4 March, with 22 staff affected.
The Villiers Street store opened in March last year, with Tesco going into partnership with Burrito Kitchen, a business launched by former Apprentice contestant Tim Stillwell.
Serving breakfast wraps and baps, and burritos and nachos later in the day, the store was aimed at commuters and busy office workers but Tesco said research had shown customers preferred the “wider range of products” in its other Express and Metro stores in the capital.
The Philpott Street site, which opened in September 2014, originally featured a Fred’s Food Construction deli-diner concept, launched by Paul Goodale, former director of restaurants at Harrods. However, the two parted ways last June and the store had carried on as a food to go store targeting a similar time-pressed shopper.
“Customers have told us they prefer the wider range of products found in our Express and Metro stores,” said a Tesco spokesman. “We’ve been speaking to colleagues affected today. There will be a full consultation process to explain what this means for them. We will do everything we can to find alternative roles for colleagues within Tesco.”
He said eight staff were employed at Philpot Lane and 14 at Villiers Street.
The spokesman added: “We’re always looking for opportunities to improve our convenience offering in London, which is why we trialled two food to go concept stores.”
The premises will be returned to landlords to seek alternative use.
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