Another blow as Co-op to close

 

Co-operative Food said it was not happy with trade in the town and becomes the second national retailer in a week – following Stead & Simpsons – to pull out. The news is grim too down the road where the Co-op will also close its Newtown store.

 

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the Co-operative Food stores on Old Kerry Road, Newtown, and Berriew Street, Welshpool, are due to close on Wednesday, November 28.

“Staff have been informed of the decision, which has been taken with the greatest regret. The closure is due to poor trading performance and is not, in any way, a reflection on the commitment and hard work of the store team.

“Every effort will be made to redeploy as many as possible of the three Welshpool full-time and 20 part-time staff with The Co-operative Group, or to help them find alternative employment.”

 

The supermarket chain was heralded into the town as ‘saviours’ after it swallowed up the Somerfield brand and invested £170,000 in store rebranding and refurbishments.

 

But it opened just three months before Tesco launched its multi-million pound superstore on the edge of town, placing pressure on the town’s other supermarkets and businesses with some also blaming the one-way system for hitting trade.

 

It is believed that six full-time and 18 part-time jobs will go in the Newtown closure.