Oswestry dry-cleaner jobs at risk
A Shropshire branch of the UK's largest dry-cleaning chain could be among those under threat after bosses announced plans to close more than a third of its stores.
John Service Group plans to shut 109 of its 307 Johnson Cleaners branches as it moves away from traditional high street locations towards collection and delivery points within supermarkets.
It has not yet revealed which stores will close as part of the review, which could affect more than 400 jobs, as each branch employs an average of four people.
The chain currently has only one outlet in Shropshire, in Bailey Street in Oswestry.
Johnson, which also closed more than 100 branches in 2012, said the dry-cleaning business failed to grow sales last year despite several initiatives to reach new customers.
It has established collection and delivery points in office premises with a high concentration of staff and now has a presence within 78 Waitrose stores, with a further 46 locations due to be opened in the early part of this year.
The company is also planning to launch an online home collection and delivery service for higher-value or bulky items.
The majority of stores set for closure have leases expiring within the next two years, with renewal not seen as financially viable.
It said: "We are commencing a consultation exercise with affected employees and anticipate that branches will close during the first half of the year. The remaining 198 better-performing premium branches are in more convenient locations with an infrastructure capable of receiving dry cleaning from various points."
