Morrisons supermarket in Wigan earmarked for closure putting dozens of jobs at risk in blow to economy

Morrisons has confirmed it is proposing to shut its large Ince store on Makerfield Way.

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Staff received the bad news that the supermarket is one of four which will have their futures made the subject of a full consultation.

And they have been warned that the move means every role in the store is "being placed at risk of redundancy".

However, the supermarket has said it will work with employees and trade unions to minimise job losses after making what it described as a commercial decision.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “As we continue to focus on building a broader, stronger Morrisons we are constantly reviewing opportunities for new stores and the performance of our existing estate.

"We are planning to invest in four new stores this year and are today, regrettably, proposing to close our Ince store.

"We will now be going through a consultation process at the store and will be discussing how to reduce redundancies and, where possible, redeploy our highly valued colleagues within the business.”

Morrisons shut its Wigan town centre store in The Galleries Shopping Centre several years ago.

However, Wigan Council leader Coun David Molyneux said the local authority wants to meet the supermarket as soon as possible to try to find a way forward that will not result in the building becoming empty.

He acknowledged the loss of the supermarket would put a considerable dent in Wigan's economy.

Coun Molyneux, who also represents Ince ward in the council chamber, said: "We have requested an urgent meeting with Morrisons to find out more about their plans and will be urging them to look at other alternatives rather than closure.

"The loss of the branch would be a significant blow to staff and to the local community. We will do everything we can to prevent that from happening.”