Around 2,000 Tesco workers discovered their jobs were at risk yesterday after the supermarket giant disclosed the locations of 43 store closures.

Seven superstores and six Homeplus outlets are among the unprofitable shops identified for closure by new chief executive Dave Lewis.

He announced the cuts plan earlier this month as part of wider measures designed to revive the group’s fortunes in the wake of a disastrous 2014.

Tesco said that 2,000 staff are expected to be affected by the 43 closures and that it will begin consultations with all those workers affected.

The superstores are at Bedlington, Chatham, Connswater and Cregagh Road in Belfast, Doncaster, Kirkcaldy and Wrexham Dodds Lane.

Tesco also identified 18 smaller Express convenience stores and 12 Metro shops set for closure.

The Homeplus shops to shut are at Bristol Cribbs Causeway, Chelmsford, Chester, Edinburgh, Southampton and Staines.

Usdaw union national officer Pauline Foulkes said the announcement was “devastating news” for the dedicated staff who have worked hard to make their shop viable during a difficult time for the company.

“We will now enter into full and meaningful consultation meetings on this proposal, where we will look closely at the company’s business case for the closures,” she said.