John Lewis staff to vote on ending partnership model in bid to stem losses

Chairman Sharon White wants to ditch longstanding employee-ownership setup to bring in investors and build flats above stores

John Lewis staff will pass judgment on chairman Sharon White’s controversial proposal to up-end the retailer’s decades-old partnership model when members cast their ballots in a confidence vote on Wednesday.

White is considering selling a stake in the John Lewis Partnership to bring in outside investment of up to £2bn as a way to secure its future, partly by diversifying into building flats for rent above shops, after reporting hefty losses from its chain of department stores and Waitrose supermarkets.