Morrisons is to axe 3,000 manager roles to boost its shop-floor workforce by 7,000.

The big four supermarket said the managerial staff affected will either leave the company or see their roles downgraded, as the chain looks to reorient its business model to “serve customers better”.

The shake up comes as Morrisons looks to fight off tough competition in the sector from discount retailers Lidl and Aldi.

Christmas trading results for Morrison showed group like-for-like sales were down 1.7 per cent for the 22-week period to 5 January, as the big four grocers continued to lose ground to discount competitors.

The supermarket said those managers who do stay in the business will “concentrate on helping frontline colleagues to do their job and run their stores”.

Morrisons retail director David Lepley said: “Whilst there will be a short period of uncertainty for some managers affected by these proposals we will be supporting them through this process and there are jobs available for everybody who wants to continue to work at Morrisons.”

A spokesman for the company said: “The new jobs will be on Morrisons renowned Market Street counters, where skilled butchers, bakers, fishmongers and other fresh food specialists serve customers.

“There will also be more roles with greater flexibility that are very attractive to colleagues with families.”

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