‘Heartbroken’ Sainsbury’s consumers blast grocery store for ‘attacking older individuals’ after cafe closure announcement – as individuals say they’re ‘lifelines’ for the neighborhood

Sainsbury’s customers have insisted they are ‘heartbroken’ over the latest decision to close down its beloved in-store cafes.

Earlier today, the British supermarket giant announced plans for a number of significant changes, including cutting over 3,000 jobs and closing the remaining in-store cafes – despite the company reporting profits.

Following the announcement, dozens of anguished customers have taken to social media to lament their concerns over the ‘unfair’ decision – with some branding it an ‘attack on older people’.

The major shakeup will result in a two per cent loss of the current 148,000-strong workforce, as well as the closure of 61 branches of the supermarket’s budget friendly cafes.

But few were pleased by the news, with countless café loyalists taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their grievances.

Writing on X, @transposetheFBs wrote: ‘This breaks my heart. I’ve always seen the cafes busy. All those warm spaces with affordable food gone. A lifeline for parents with babies and toddlers to recharge and breathe. A vital hub for the elderly to have a warm drink. Sainsbury’s choosing profit over people.’

Others complained that the cafes were largely used by the elderly, disabled people and carers and that getting rid of them was an ‘attack on older people’.

A second, @BradfemlyWalsh said: ‘Yet again, another idea that attacks older people, SAHMs, the disabled and carers. Sainsbury’s cafés are always full of OAPs, mums and tots and disabled people either alone or with a carer. These are vital and convenient places for so many people.’ 

Sainsbury’s customers have insisted they are ‘heartbroken’ over the latest decision to ditch it’s beloved in-store cafes (stock image)

Earlier today, the British supermarket giant announced plans for a number of significant changes, including cutting over 3,000 jobs and closing the remaining in-store cafes – despite the company reporting profits (Sainsbury’s cafe in Crayford, London pictured)

They added: ‘They’re just focused on young, hip consumers and not their loyal shoppers who’ve been with them for over 50 years and it’s so wrong. 

‘My parents’ local Sainsbury’s café is one of the few places my 84-year-old Dad can access easily with his Parkinson’s. No steps, very flat floors.’ 

While the termination of all Sainsbury’s cafes is new – several have already closed throughout the country – and for many, it’s come with the loss of memories and a support network.  

Social media user @TessaCakemaker said: ‘The café in our local Sainsbury’s closed a couple of years ago. Our disabled son used to love sitting there and having a drink or a sandwich. It’s still problematic for him, he mentions it every week without fail’.

Another, @peterhague, said: ‘Not a big user of Sainsbury’s café but when my eldest was a baby I would spend a bit of time in Asda cafe with him after a shop. The staff got to know us. It was a nice third space.’

One, @ChristChurchTe1, said: ‘The in-store café at the Sainsbury’s I go to provides a very important social centre. This is a sad result of poor economic policy.’

‘The café within my local branch is always full of young mums and retired people socialising. They will be upset at the news, as well as the 3 000 employee’s looking for work,’ wrote @MariaDodds44472.

FEMAIL has reached out to Sainsbury’s for comment.  

Simon Roberts, chief executive of the supermarket group, said the company was making the cuts as it attempts to slash spending by a £1billion a year in the face of a ‘particularly challenging cost environment’.

Others complained that the cafes were largely used by the elderly, disabled people and carers and that their ousting them was an ‘attack on older people’

This is despite the supermarket chain recently announcing its ‘biggest ever’ Christmas trading period and predicting profits would likely be between £1.01 billion and £1.06 billion for the whole of 2025.

Mr Roberts said: ‘As we accelerate into year two and beyond of our strategy, 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.

‘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.’

The losses mean the current 148,000-strong workforce by will be reduced by 2 per cent and all of the 61 remaining cafes will be closed.

Mr Roberts said Sainsbury’s shoppers did not use their cafes regularly, whereas in-store food halls and concessions have grown in popularity.

As part of the shake up, the retailer will also close its remaining patisserie, hot food and pizza counters in-store and shift the most popular items from there into regular shopping aisles. 

The announcement comes as the British retail industry braces itself for the impact of the Labour budget.

Many companies have warned they could be forced to cut thousands of jobs and raise prices this year due to the increase in employer national insurance contributions by £25bn from April and a 6.7 per cent rise in the national minimum wage.