Manager JP Mathews said it was sad there was not enough work for everyone.

The 50 were given the bad news yesterday at a meeting of all staff and advised they should try to pursue other work options.

“A lot of them were heartbroken,” Mr Mathews said.

The supermarket in Borella Road closed as the result of a fire lit in bins at the back of the store on Friday at 12.25am.

The fire then spread to a storeroom roof.

“The latest is that everything in the store has to go,” Mr Mathews said.

“It provides us with a fair bit of work for the staff — that will probably begin on Friday.”

The fire destroyed about 20 per cent of stock.

Much of last Friday was spent getting rid of meat, dairy, produce and frozen products.

Initially it was thought health inspectors might visit the store to determine whether remaining stock that was not smoke-affected could be salvaged.

But the decision has since been made to remove all stock.

Mr Mathews said “every square inch” of the store then had to be cleaned.

“Those two jobs will keep a fair bit of people in work,” he said.

Mr Mathews said damage meant the ceiling and roof must be replaced.

The store would also need to be totally repainted and new tiles put down throughout.

“When it opens again it will be a brand new store,” he said.

It was too early to say when the store was likely to reopen.

Several staff have already transferred to a sister store at Springdale Heights.