A THREAT hangs over Tesco jobs in North Wales following leaked reports the company might make 15,000 employees redundant.

The reports suggest cuts could affect the company’s meat, fish and delicatessen counters. In addition plans to use frozen instead of fresh dough are being considered for in store bakeries, and some staff canteens may be at risk of being replaced with vending machines.

The review of jobs is believed to have been caused by particularly tough trading over the Christmas period.

Tesco has superstores in Abergele, Bangor, Caernarfon, Llandudno Junction, Porthmadog, Prestatyn and Ruthin and a Tesco Extra store in Bethesda.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We’re always looking at ways to run our business more simply and efficiently. Whenever we make changes in our business, colleagues are always the first to know.

He added: “We can’t give a breakdown of which stores may be affected in North Wales because we need to inform employees who would be affected first.”

It is believed Tesco’s chief operating officer, Tony Hogett, wrote in a memo to staff: “We are committed to tell our colleagues first of any changes we make as we continue to refresh and simplify the way we serve customers in our stores.

"These changes are still being finalised, but as a result of this leak and speculation, we will bring forward our communications to give more information as soon as possible.

"We recognise any changes will be hard for impacted colleagues, and unsettling for everyone. Our priority is to support our colleagues throughout."

A spokesman for USDAW, the shopworkers trade union, said: “We have not had confirmation from Tesco about its plans, all we’ve seen so far is speculation. But we are in constant conversation with the company and are seeking clarification.

“We can’t say what impact there might be on members in North Wales at the moment. We hope the company will reveal details of its plans as soon as possible so staff know what is happening.”