The UK’s second largest supermarket chain said that the cost-cutting measures would help the company to “simplify the business”, adding that many of its most loyal customers did not use the cafes on a regular basis.

Some of the job cuts will also be made at the senior level, with Sainsbury’s confirming that there will be an estimated reduction of one fifth in senior management roles over the next few months.

The cuts are part of an already announced plan by the supermarket to slash £1 billion from costs.  

In a statement, Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts said: “We are facing into a particularly challenging cost environment which means we have had to make tough choices about where we can afford to invest and where we need to do things differently to make our business more efficient and effective.”

He added: “The decisions we are announcing today are essential to ensure we continue to drive forward our momentum but have also meant some difficult choices impacting our dedicated colleagues in a number of parts of our business.”

Losses follow shops’ warning re NI and minimum wage rises

The announcement of the job losses comes after a warning from the UK’s largest retailers that they could be forced to raise costs and cut posts as industry prepares for changes introduced by the Labour government’s first budget.

These include rising costs for employers who will face an increase in national insurance contributions and a rise in the minimum wage which must be offered to workers.

Sainsbury’s currently employs 148,000 people, has almost 600 supermarkets and more than 800 convenience stores.