Retailer cites consumer changes

A spokesman for Books UK said the decision to close the labs was a result of customers’ changing behaviour, with more and more people wanting to create personalised photo gifts, such as photobooks, canvases and cards, and fewer customers printing standard pictures.

The labs are being axed while the company focuses on instant kiosks and online ordering.

She said: “This will result in changes to the photo teams. Impacted colleagues will be offered retraining and redeployment to other roles where possible. However, some roles may be made redundant.

“In-store photo labs will remain in 100 locations spread across the country, offering one-hour services on photo gifts and processing rolls of film.

“Over 1,000 Boots stores will continue to offer photo services through instant kiosks, and they will be supported by a centralised photo-lab facility in Nottingham so customers can still print photos and order photo products.”