Department store wants to cut hours for 70 staff

A well-known department store has announced it wants to cut hours for some staff due to rising costs and changes in shopping habits.

About 70 members of staff working in front of house and hospitality at Jarrolds in Norwich have been asked to voluntarily change their contracts.

The situation will be reviewed at the end of June to assess the uptake for these shorter contracts.

John Adams, managing director for retail, said: "All retailers have been hit by rising costs since last year and we must make sensible decisions to protect both jobs and the future of the business."

The history of the retailer dates back to 1770 when John Jarrold opened a grocer's and drapers in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

The Jarrolds Group closed its store in Wymondham , Norfolk, after nearly four decades in September, following what the company referred to as the evolvement of "customer buying habits".

Mr Adams said the retailer had recorded a "definite shift" in footfall, with the bulk of transactions taking place between 11:00 and 15:00.

A change in hours would help the retailer be "more flexible" and the traditional 09:00-17:00 working pattern "no longer makes sense", Mr Adams added.

"We have therefore asked colleagues working in sales and front of house hospitality roles to consider voluntarily changing their contracts to better align to footfall and sales volumes.

"While this ultimately reduces their committed weekly hours, we will be offering overtime to cater for busier periods."

One employee told the BBC that staff were "unhappy" and "frustrated" about the decision.

Mr Adams continued: "Our priority is always to be open and honest with our team members and to try and safeguard jobs through practical solutions."

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