14/09/2004

Boots set to withdraw unprofitable services

Some Boots staff face an uncertain future today after the company announced that it is to close its laser eye correction, dentistry, chiropody and laser hair removal businesses.

The announcement will impact on around 850 jobs, but the company has said that it aimed to re-deploy "as many people as possible".

The move will "improve trading profit" but is expected to result in exceptional costs of £55 million, of which £29 million will be asset write-down.

A company statement said: "Boots' first priority in managing these changes will be the welfare of its customers and employees. Options will be sought to find suitable alternative providers of these services for existing customers."

Boots said that despite improvements in productivity within the affected businesses there was "no prospect of the businesses making acceptable returns for the Group going forward".

The company statement added that today's move had "no impact on well-established and profitable Boots Opticians which will now be managed as a significant part of Boots The Chemists".

The majority of Boots' 54 dental practices will cease to exist from December 31. The company will also exit its laser eye correction on the same date.

Patients who have on-going treatment in chiropody and laser hair removal will continue to be treated or alternative arrangements made, the company said.

The 15,000 square metres of space currently occupied by the services will be converted back into retail trading space by 2006.

(gmcg/mb)

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