Boots today announced that it will close 48 of its Opticians stores and make thousands of employees redundant.

The high street pharmacy giant said it was "accelerating" its Transformation Plan as a result of the damage from Covid-19 on business.

It will lose 4,000 of its staff across its head office, store teams and Opticians teams.

It is unclear at this stage whether Richmond's Opticians store - on the first floor of the shop in George Street - will be affected.

A spokeswoman for the company told Richmond Nub News that Boots was entering a consultation about which stores and jobs.

"We aren't releasing any information on specific stores that will be affected [just yet]," the spokeswoman said.

How Boots adjusted its operations in lockdown

Many Boots shops stayed open throughout lockdown to continue providing healthcare and pharmacy services.

In a lengthy press release on its website, Boots revealed the huge impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on footfall.

"More than 100 larger stores in city centre, station and airport locations were closed, as were the majority of Boots Opticians practices," Boots said about its business during lockdown.

"These factors severely impacted comparable retail sales, which decreased 48 per cent for Boots UK and 72 per cent for Boots Opticians in the third quarter (versus last year).

"Restrictions are beginning to lift, but with an uncertain economic outlook, it is anticipated that the high street will take considerable time to recover."

Sales via its website, however, have risen by 78%.

Thanks to customers and staff

Boots also increased the capacity of its free online repeat prescription deliveries and introduced new online pharmacy and beauty services such as virtual consultations.

Boots UK's managing director Sebastian James said: "The proposals announced today are decisive actions to accelerate our Transformation Plan, allow Boots to continue its vital role as part of the UK health system, and ensure profitable long-term growth.

"In doing this, we are building a stronger and more modern Boots for our customers, patients and colleagues.

"I am so very grateful to all our colleagues for their dedication during the last few challenging months.

"They have stepped forward to support their communities, our customers and the NHS during this time, and I am extremely proud to be serving alongside them.

"We recognise that today's proposals will be very difficult for the remarkable people who make up the heart of our business, and we will do everything in our power to provide the fullest support during this time."