Tesco call centre closure to put 1,100 jobs at risk

Supermarket chain Tesco could be set to lay off as many as 1,100 people after it announced that it planned to close a call centre in Cardiff.

Tesco said it would create a further 250 jobs in its other major call centre which deals with customer enquiries, in Dundee.

The call centre will be shut down in February next year, with any employees laid off set to be offered positions at the Dundee centre.

Tesco CEO Matt Davies said that simplifying the company’s engagement centres was a difficult but necessary decision.

Davies said: "The retail sector is facing unprecedented challenges and we must ensure we run our business in a sustainable and cost-effective way, while meeting the changing needs of our customers."

"We realise this will have a significant effect on colleagues in the Cardiff area, and our priority now is to continue to do all we can to support them at this time."

The move comes as part of wider plans to streamline Tesco’s operations, as the retail industry grapples with increased competition and technological advances.

Tesco’s share price was trading 1.19% lower on the FTSE 100 as of 09:57 BST on Thursday.