A BRILLIANT international food store has finally been able to expand their business in Poole – after buying out supermarket giant Co-op.
The family-owned ethnic supermarket Makkah Foods has been “committed to to providing customers with the freshest, highest quality food products and groceries” since 1976.
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As well as being a leading supermarket, they also boast the title of being leading wholesaler in the Dorset region, and after years of battling they have finally been able to move to bigger premises.
Usman Khan, the current director of Makkah Foods, has recently signed a deal to move their Parkstone store from 320 Ashley Road to 350 Ashley Road.
The deal will see them taking over the premises from Poole’s Co-op store, which is due to close early next year.
Speaking about the move, Usman said: “Our Ashley Road store is majorly cramped, and we can’t stock near enough half the lines that we want to.
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“We’ve been after the deal with Co-op for coming up to about seven or eight years now and luckily, we bought them out.”
Usman is incredibly excited about the move, and revealed that he has big plans for the future of his international food store.
He added: “We’re going to be looking up to set up the home delivery service as well in the local area as well as making a deli, a bakery, a massive retreat section, a sweet centre, so pretty much everything anyone would want.
“We’ll be stocking co-op products there as well just to make the transition easier for some of the customers that want to get some of their things.”
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Usman has also promised jobs for all former Co-op staff that will be affected by the changes.
A spokesperson for the Co-op confirmed: “Co-op regularly reviews its store estate and, only after careful consideration has the decision been taken for its store in Ashley Road, Parkstone, to be sold.
“Our priority is to fully support colleagues and safeguard local jobs, and colleagues will transfer to the new operator.
“Co-op remains committed to serving and supporting its members and customers in the area and operates three stores within a mile of the Parkstone store including a store further along Ashley Road.”
The last day the Co-op will be open to the public is expected to be the 10 February 2024. The new Makkah Foods store is expected to open their doors in early March.
This comes after a series of closures were announced by the Co-op group earlier this year.
The chain closed its branches in Princess Drive, Grantham, in Linthorpe Village, Middlesbrough, and Lodge Lane, Bridgnorth in January.
Its branch in Folkestone Central Train station was also shut for renovation in the same month.
The supermarket in Ombersley Road, Claines, was planned for closure in March this year although a date was not confirmed at the time.
The branch in Castle House, Sheffield, was shuttered for good on July 22, although nearby stores in Broad Lane and Glossop Road remaining open.
The chain’s branch in Mildenhall Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, closed on August 19.
And on October 28, 2023, four unlucky Co-op stores closed due to the shopping giant Tesco buying them out and taking over.
These were the stores in Uplands Road in Oadby, Bramcote Lane in Wollaton, Springfield Road in Rugeley and Downing Drive in Leicester.
Large supermarket chains have been hit hard in recent years as customers have begun to turn their attentions to online shopping.
The trend was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which saw households forced to stay at home.
That, combined with higher energy and wage costs for companies, has led to a number of stores closing for good.
The Bournemouth Daily Echo shared the news of the Co-op closure on their Facebook, but they have had their comments flooded with support for Makkah Foods since.
Danielle Brunt wrote: “I love Makkah we go to the one in Winton, superb shop. Discovered custard apples there – flipping lovely. And staff are always so helpful when we ask questions, can’t wait and well done”
Dominic Lee added: “Best place to get ingredients for currys. So much more for your money than the likes of Asda etc.”
While Raymond Smith said: “Makkah is by far the best place around for herbs and spices. Staff always pleasant and shops always clean and tidy. Never come out empty handed.”
Although some Facebook users did express some qualms with the move.
Desiree Seymour said: “Such a shyame as they are lovely in the Coop, but not surprised after all the shoplifting and theft that goes on there. Also the abuse the staff get when they try to prevent it.”
Adam Moore wrote: “I hope they keep the staff that’s working in coop and BHF. it be sad to see their jobs going.”
While Cindy Gordon simply retorted: “We will miss the Co Op.”
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