HIGH street dry-cleaning firm Johnsons has announced plans to close more than 100 stores nationwide, putting at risk dozens of jobs in North Yorkshire.

The Preston-headquartered company said it will close 109 of its 307 Johnson Cleaners branches as part of a restructuring exercise.

Bosses are implementing a move away from high street locations towards collection and delivery points within supermarkets, such as its outlet in Waitrose in Foss Islands.

Johnsons has not revealed which of is branches have been earmarked for closure, spelling uncertain times for staff in Bishopthorpe Road, Acomb and Haxby as well as other regional branches in Pocklington, Wetherby, Ripon, and two in Harrogate.

Staff at Johnsons’ Malton branch said as far as they were aware their store would not be affected.

A spokesperson for Johnsons’ national operations said the company is beginning a consultation phase with staff affected by the closures.

A full list of the stores set for the axe is due to be announced in a matter of weeks.

Its textile rental business, which is the largest part of the group, continued to perform well, with improved margins and increased customer retention.

It added that investment worth £8.2 million in its new plant in Leeds was set to be operational in the early part of this year, making it the UK’s most automated garment processing plant.