Waitrose has announced five of its stores will close as they are ‘not commercially viable’.

Two convenience stores in Manchester, one in Birmingham and one in London will shut but all shops in Gloucestershire will remain open.

The four shops have all been sold to the Co-op, whilst Aldi have purchased Waitrose’s supermarket in Camden.

Ben Stimson, Waitrose Retail Director, said: “The sale of these shops is not something we take lightly, but we have accepted offers for them as it is sadly - despite the best efforts of everyone involved - not commercially viable for us to continue trading from them in the long term.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of our Partners working in those shops who will be fully supported throughout the process and we will identify opportunities for those wishing to remain with the business wherever possible.”

The sales have not yet been finalised, but they are expected to be completed in the autumn. Workers at the shops being acquired by the Co-op will transfer there under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment regulations).

As Aldi does not plan to open in Camden for at least six months, the shop will close. It is not known how many jobs will be affected.

There are a number of Waitrose shops in Gloucestershire including on London Road, Stroud, Sheep Street, Cirencester, Malmesbury by Pass, Malmesbury and Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury.

Three police officers were injured after the Cirencester store was raided on June 20.

Full list of closures:

Manchester Piccadilly

Spinningfields, Manchester

Colmore Row, Birmingham

Portman Square, London

Camden, London