Waitrose: 500 jobs at risk over Enfield warehouse closure plan

Waitrose has revealed plans to shut a delivery warehouse in north London later this year, putting more than 500 jobs at risk.

The supermarket chain has launched a consultation process over potentially shutting the site in Enfield, which opened in 2020.

Under the proposals, the Enfield Customer Fulfilment Centre would likely close this summer.

A spokesman said it was not "an option we're exploring lightly".

The warehouse is used to pick and deliver online orders for customers and was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic when there was a boom in online grocery shopping demand.

Waitrose, which is owned by the John Lewis Partnership, has a lease at the warehouse which comes to an end in early 2025.

A Waitrose spokesman said rental costs at the site were "due to increase and capacity elsewhere in our network" meant the firm was "considering the closure of the site".

"While not an option we're exploring lightly, the proposal would maintain our high levels of customer service for Waitrose.com and support future growth."

He added the plan was "in no way a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team" and "no decision will be made until we have fully consulted with all partners at our Enfield site, who are being supported throughout the process".

It is understood Waitrose plans to move orders currently going through the site to two other destinations.

No final decision on the proposals will take place until the consultation process is completed. It is expected to take at least 12 weeks.

There are 545 people employed at the site.

The planned job cuts are part of cost-cutting efforts at parent group John Lewis Partnership.

Last week, Sharon White, the chairwoman of the partnership, told reporters there was "no target" for job cuts but indicated that some roles would be affected by its turnaround strategy.

"Part of our refresh plan is that we are becoming simpler and more flexible," she said.

"There will be less need for some roles in some areas over the coming years as a result, but there is no specific target."

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