Asda is considering cutting more than 1,000 store jobs under plans to close hundreds of staff canteens and shopfloor services such as photo processing units.

Managers are understood to have met with union representatives on Wednesday to discuss 4,000 other job moves or changes in stores. The cuts come after Asda revealed plans to axe about 200 jobs at its head office in Leeds earlier this week.

Sources said Asda has also given a further 800 or more staff in Leeds and at the headquarters of its George clothing brand in Leicester until Friday to decide if they want to move into new roles as the whole business is streamlined.

In the latest round of cutbacks, Asda is considering scrapping canteens which operate in 350 of its 620 stores and eliminating the morning perk of free tea and toast that is handed out to staff in a further 230 outlets.

Vending machines in stores may also be under threat, but Asda said it would provide hot drinks machines, fridges and microwaves so that staff can prepare their own food if it goes ahead with closing canteens.

The company is also looking at closing or selling off photo-developing services, cutting pharmacy opening hours and reducing customer services, including fresh pizza making and George clothing advice, in an attempt to reduce staff numbers. However, some staff are expected to be redeployed to provide better service in the stores’ core departments, such as fresh groceries.

Asda said its intention was to prioritise redeployment over redundancy.

An Asda spokesperson said: “2015 was a tough year for UK supermarkets and Asda is no exception. The structure of UK grocery retailing has permanently changed to reflect the way that customers shop today. We know our customers better than anyone else and we need to make sure that our offer meets their changing needs.

“We have entered into a [45-day] consultation with our store colleagues on proposals which we believe will enable us to react more quickly by becoming a leaner and more agile business. These proposals are designed to make our stores easier to shop in and be more effective in delivering the low prices, quality and good value which customers tell us they want.”

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