Is your local Asda about to close its photo centre?

Bosses say that 2015 was a 'tough year' and that is the main reason behind the planned move which will hit the Stafford and Cannock superstores.

Asda is refusing to say how many jobs are under threat but a consultation has now been launched with staff.

There are a number of supermarkets with photo centres in the area including Avon Road, Cannock; Queensway, Stafford; George Street, Walsall; Molineux Way, Wolverhampton; St Lawrence Way, Darlaston; Brickhouse Lane, Tipton and Windmill Lane, Smethwick.

Asda spokeswoman Amy Garbutt said: "2015 was a tough year for UK supermarkets and Asda is no exception. The structure of UK grocery retailing has permanently changed to reflect the way that customers shop today.

"We know our customers better than anyone else and we need to make sure that our offer meets their changing needs.

"We are currently consulting with colleagues with regard to the proposed closure or sale of our photo centres and aren't able to comment further on the future of this service in our stores until consultation is complete."

Despite the possible closure of the photo centres, Asda is still promoting its online-based 'Photo Legacy' service on its website which converts negatives, slides, prints as well as video tapes into a digital format.

Earlier this month Asda announced it was investing an extra £500 million to lower prices as chief executive Andy Clarke warned that 2016 would be a challenging year for supermarkets.

He said: "There is currently no growth in the food market and the rise of the limited assortment discounters means that we must take radical action to win back our customers."

Walmart, which owns Asda, recently confirmed it was to close 269 of its stores in America stating that competition from online retailers such as Amazon had put the firm under pressure.

Last week it was announced that Argos stores in the area were under threat with retail giant Sainsbury's poised to take over.