John Lewis closures: full list of 8 UK stores closing as company cuts costs, jobs and staff bonuses

Retailer John Lewis has announced plans to close eight of its stores, with thousands of job cuts to be made.

Chairman Sharon White confirmed plans to shut several of the firm’s shops in a letter to staff, with the news coming just weeks after the chain reopened for business.

The letter to staff outlined plans for major cost cuts across the business, which come as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Which stores are at closing?

Several stores have been confirmed to close permanently resulting in a great number of job losses, and the John Lewis annual bonus will not go ahead next year.

The stores permanently closing are as follows:

Croydon, opened in August 2010

Swindon, opened in October 2010

Tamworth, opened in October 2011

Newbury, opened in April 2012

Heathrow Terminal Two, opened in June 2014

London St Pancras Train Station, opened in October 2014

Birmingham, Bullring Shopping Centre, opened in September 2015

Watford, Harlequin Shopping Centre, opened in August 1990

In a statement earlier this month, the retailer said, “The reality is that we have too much store space for the way people want to shop now and we have shared this with our partners.

"As difficult as it is, it is highly unlikely we will reopen all our John Lewis stores.

"However no decision has been made and any details would be shared with partners first by the middle of July."

The retailer is currently in discussions with landlords regarding ending some of its leases, while others will be renegotiated to make terms more flexible. John Lewis is also in discussions with shopping centre owner Intu, which collapsed into administration last week, to determine how its stores in Intu centres will be affected.

A spokesperson said, “Following the announcement that Intu has entered into administration, we are working closely with them and the administrators to understand the implications for the small number of shops we have within their shopping centres.

“We have received assurances from the administrators that these centres will remain open while a buyer is found but are unable to say more at this stage.”

Which shops have reopened?

The plans for potential closures come following the news that a further 10 John Lewis stores will be reopening across the UK, including its first in Wales and Scotland, as well as the brand’s flagship shop in Oxford Street.

Shops in Basingstoke, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Chester, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Stratford and the Trafford Centre reopened on 13 July.

The Oxford Street department store opened a few days later, on 16 July, as the larger size of the store required more time for plans to be finalised.

The latest reopenings takes the total number of reopened stores to 32, but a further 18 still remain closed.