UP TO 800 jobs could be at risk as a result of proposed changes at supermarket giant Sainsbury’s.

The firm, which has stores on the Weymouth Gateway site and in Dorchester, has announced a review into the way its stores are managed and staffed.

A spokesman for the firm said a consultation period had been launched and couldn’t confirm the number of regional job losses at this stage, but that up to 800 jobs were at risk across the country.

The spokesman added the proposals could save the company £500 million over the next three years, in what the company have called ‘a strategic review to help fund future investments in areas which really matter to customers.’

Roger Burnley, retail and operations director said: “These are exceptionally difficult decisions to make and we have not taken them lightly.

“I recognise that this will be a challenging time for many of our colleagues and we will do everything we can to support them and help them move through this period of uncertainty as quickly as possible.

“The formal consultation starts today and, where possible, we hope colleagues will opt to move to other roles or stores. We expect the new structures to be in place later this year and as a result, we will be set up to work more effectively together to better serve our customers.”