Motor accessories retailer Halfords is to make up to 250 job cuts at head office and in stores as it seeks cost savings.

Up to 200 store staff are in consultation with the retailer as well as 50 head office employees.

Halfords said it would seek to redeploy staff where it can, but that some redundancies are inevitable.

The retailer said that since making improvements to its store systems it can remove a part-time administrative role, which will affect about 200 employees.

Efficiencies gained in marketing, finance and warehouse systems means around 50 jobs may go at head office.

Halfords chief executive David Wild said: “There’s never been a more important time to look at cost control.”

Finance director Nick Wharton said: “This is prudent and well thought through.”

Halfords posted a 3.2 per cent rise in interim pre-tax profits to£49.1 million on sales 1.6 per cent ahead to£407.1 million.