CITY economic leaders have insisted that Nottingham's economy is "robust" after more than 350 Notts jobs were revealed to be under threat in the past ten days.

Yesterday Boots UK said 100 posts could be cut at their Beeston headquarters as part of the merger between Alliance and Boots pharmacies.

Support staff working in IT, human resources, marketing and communications are believed to be affected.

The news comes after last week's announcements that 215 Dairy Crest workers and 45 Central Tonight employees are set to be axed.

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Nottingham City Council's deputy leader and economic development portfolio holder Graham Chapman said the announcement was a "blow" but insisted the local economy was in good shape.

He said: "It's always a terrible blow when jobs are lost locally and I am sorry for those who will be affected.

"As we have done previously, the city council will do all it can, working closely with Boots, to identify the skills sets of the affected members of staff and see if we can link them to job opportunities."

He added that £1bn of public investment was in the pipeline for the city.

He said: "Nottingham's economy is robust and we are still succeeding in attracting new jobs and investment to the city and will continue to do so. We've recently helped secure 160 jobs by bringing Specsavers to the city and Eon has created 465 new jobs in the city.

"We have got to keep confidence as confidence boosts confidence."

Martin Gawith, chief executive of the Greater Nottingham Partnership, said the Boots announcement had been expected.

He said: "It's not good news but this has long been expected in terms of the merger. I think everybody is a little concerned at the moment in terms of uncertainty. Nottingham is fairly well placed in terms of its local economy but none of us can be complacent."

Mr Gawith said the timing of the announcement was "unfortunate" but he said that skills of staff in the affected areas would be needed during an economic downturn.

He added: "I'm sure there are significant [numbers of] jobs in these areas in Notts.

"There's a recognition of the good quality skills in Boots staff that will be made use of by local companies."

A spokeswoman for Boots UK said the decision to streamline offices in Nottingham and Middlesex, affecting 240 posts over the next 18 months, would increase their competitiveness but that not all of the posts affected were currently filled.

sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk