Axe-threatened Jack's Chatteris to become Tesco superstore meaning jobs are safe
Tesco has confirmed the axe-threatened Jack's store in Chatteris will be converted into a superstore for the supermarket giant.
In a letter to town councillor Ian Benney, Keith Jackson, central and East communications manager for Tesco, outlined plans for the store in Fenland Way, which was originally built for the company in 2015.
Tesco pulled the plug on opening in the town and the building remained mothballed for three years. Then in 2018 Tesco launched its Jack's brand with the opening of the Chatteris store - the first of what would be 13 Jack's branches - to mark the 100th anniversary of the firm and to also take on budget retailers like Lidl and Aldi.
On Monday the company announced it was axing all 13 Jack's and would be closing seven of the stores altogether while converting the remaining six into Tesco superstores.
Mr Jackson's letter has now confirmed what everyone was hoping - Jack's Chatteris will be a Tesco superstore meaning all those employed at the store will be automatically offered a job at the rebranded supermarket.
He explained: "Over the coming weeks we will enter a period of collective consultation with colleagues regarding these changes. All colleagues working at the stores will be transferred to Tesco and we will share more details on time-scales with the community when they are available.
"The change is part of a wider plan to close or convert all of our Jack's stores. Jack's was launched in 2018 to help the business strengthen the value we offer to customers. We have learned a tremendous amount from Jack's and this has helped Tesco become more competitive, more efficient and strengthened the value we offer customers."
Councillor Benney said he and officers from Fenland District council had met with Tesco before Christmas to discuss the Jack's site with a view to developing the area.
He said: "They were very please to hear of 248 new homes on the Womb Farm development and the other proposed housing developments within Chatteris, these housing number will have influenced the decision to invest in Chatteris.
"On the back of these discussions I ma very please to confirm Jack's chatters will be one of the stores converted to a Tesco. From the letter I take it this will be a superstore, so not only will this be a food store but will have clothing, electrical and household items.
"I also hope the clarity of what will happen to the staff at Jack's gives some assurance their jobs are safe.
"This inward investment will bring benefits to all Chatteris residents by having goods readily available in the town, as well as additional jobs in the area.
"When we asked the question, will there be a filling station on site, we were told Tesco's has recently opened other filling stations with new stores, so a new filling station may be heading to Chatteris.
"The full details of when, and what we can expect from Tesco's will be announced in due course, I will keep everyone up to date with developments as I find out.
"The confidence Tesco has with this investment will, I am sure be followed by other corporate businesses looking to Chatteris in the not to distant future."
