Sainsbury’s has announced that it is to close most of its in-store cafes across the UK, putting up to 2,000 jobs at risk.
In what comes as part of a wider shake-up by the retail giant – which is the second-largest supermarket chain in the UK – to cut back on costs and transform its dining, takeaway, and home delivery services, staff at 200 in-store cafes were told on this week that the closures would be as soon as the spring.
Another 67 cafes will stay open, it has been confirmed, but these will remain under review.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said it had been a “difficult decision” to close the cafes, and said that the company would support affected staff in “any way we can during this uncertain period”.
“We understand this is very unsettling for our colleagues,” he added.
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“But we must keep adapting our business to make sure we are offering customers the best possible food and drink at affordable prices.”
200 in-store Sainsbury’s cafes are set to close / Credit: Sainsbury’s
While it may be the end for in-store cafes, there is a replacement lined up, as following a successful trial at a branch in Birmingham, Sainsbury’s has proposed to open 30 new restaurant hubs in its stores in partnership with Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), which owns the likes of Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Carluccio’s.
The supermarket chain has also proposed that an additional 30 Starbucks sites will open stores across the country too, which adds to the already-existing 30, and is all part of a plan to roll-out its dining offering in 250 stores over the next three years.
CEO Roberts said trials with BRG and Starbucks had shown that Sainsbury’s could offer a much better eat-in or takeaway experience by working with partners, adding that the retailer is “totally focused on improving what we can deliver for our customers”.
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Bakeries will be resurrected in 54 Sainsbury’s stores, but 34 “less popular” hot foot counters are to close / Credit: Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s says it will also be restructuring the bakeries in 54 stores.
But sadly, despite the bakeries staring a new life, in a similar move to cost-cutting elsewhere in the supermarket industry as inflation bites, and following the closure of its fresh fish, cheese, and meat counters in stores in 2020 – which resulted in the loss of about 3,500 jobs – Sainsbury’s has said that 34 of its “less popular” hot food counters would also be closing.
‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2022 
