SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a supermarket with thousands of branches is set to shut one of its stores within weeks.
The giant supermarket in Swindon is the latest retailer to bite the dust in a fresh wave of closings.
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The beloved Midcounties Crossways Co-op store on Cricklade Road was a market vital hub for many locals.
But loyal customers will now have to take their baskets elsewhere as the supermarket is rolling down its shutters permanently on April 21.
Despite being a cornerstone of the community, the unit has already been snapped up by an independent retailer.
According to Midcounties Co-op, staff members at the Crossways branch will have the option to transfer to a new store.
READ MORE ON STORE CLOSINGS
A spokesperson said: “The Midcounties Co-operative Board regularly reviews our property footprint to ensure we’re providing the best opportunity to deliver for our members and support local communities across the region.
“As part of this work, it was identified that the Crossways Store no longer fit with the long-term strategy of the Society and the site was placed on the market.
“We have now exchanged on a sale of the site to an independent retailer who will continue to operate a food retail store on the site.
“All ten of our Crossways colleagues will be offered the opportunity to transfer over to the new operator and we have entered into a period of consultation with them.”
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“The site will cease trading as a Your Co-op Food store on April 21 and the new owner is expected to begin trading on the site shortly after that.”
This is the Co-op members’ retailer run by the Midcounties Co-operative which is different to the mainstream Co-Op which deals in food, insurance, legal services and funerals.
The Midcounties Co-operative, which has over 300 stores, is a business owned by members which means people can share the business profits and have their say in how it’s run
Bosses claimed the retailer has splashed over £7million into opening 12 new branches over the last two years.
Local customers will be able to shop at Bradbury Park, Diamond Crescent and Pipers Way.
But many have slammed the decision to close their local branch as will be a huge blow for their retail hub.
Taking to Facebook, one user fumed: “Another one! They closed the one in Gorse Hill years ago and it’s still derelict.”
Another local shopper told the Swindon Advertiser: “I come to the Co-op because it is the only place that I can top up my electricity card in-store.
“I can’t do that over in Tesco so I don’t know what I’m going to do if the Co-op closes.”
A third customer added: “I’ve lived here for 24 years and the Co-op has always been there for as long as I can remember. Lots of people use it and will definitely miss it once it’s gone.”
It comes The Co-op in Peacehaven’s Meridian Shopping Centre, East Sussex, pulled the plug in the new year amid fresh redevelopment plans.
A sign placed on the door of the supermarket informed locals they have just under three weeks before the store closes down its shutters.
Elsewhere, a number of retailers are closing seven stores between them this weekend in a fresh blow for the high street.
Peacocks, Boots and Game are all shuttering branches within days.
What is happening to the high street?
SEVERAL high-street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.
