Tesco has named the 43 stores it is closing across the UK, a move that will see 2,000 staff lose their jobs.

The supermarket giant is currently informing staff at the affected stores.

The Express and Home Plus stores will close on March 15 with the Tesco Metros and Superstores on the list closing on April 4.

Tesco warned earlier this month that 43 stores would be shut as part of plans to cut costs.

The company’s CEO Dave Lewis said the decision to close the stores was “exceptionally difficult”.

“Our priority is to explain what this announcement means for our colleagues and, wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with Tesco,” he added.

Superstore closures include those in Doncaster and Chatham, while the DIY and homeware Homeplus closures include stores in Edinburgh and Southampton.

In total, 18 Express, 12 Metro, seven superstores and six Homeplus stores are shutting their doors.

Tesco’s announcement marks a stark contrast to Tuesday’s update from online grocery shopping Waitrose that detailed plans to create 2,000 jobs in new shops and by expanding existing sites.

The retailer is opening 14 new shops from spring this year, seven of them smaller convenience outlets.

However, of the so-called “big four” supermarkets, which includes Tesco as well as Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda, most are shelving expansion plans or even closing stores.

In November, Sainsbury’s said it was scrapping plans for new stores, while Morrissons plans to close 10 loss-making stores this year.

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