Around 2,600 Morrisons store staff are facing redundancy as the beleaguered Bradford supermarket chain looks to axe layers of managers.

The group has begun discussions with staff and their representatives about changes aimed at at taking out as many as seven layers of in-store management.

The company says a simpler management structure will boost customer service.

Dalton Philips, chief executive, said: “This is the right time to modernise the way our stores are managed. These changes will improve our focus on customers and lead to simpler, smarter ways of working. We know that moving to the new management structure will mean uncertainty for our colleagues and we will be supporting them through the process.”

Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw national officer representing Morrison’s workers, said : ‘The next few weeks will be a worrying time for our members in Morrison’s and we will do everything possible to support them."