‘It is a sad blow’ cry shoppers as major supermarket chain announces branch closure

A MAJOR supermarket chain is gearing up to close one of its branches this Spring and it has left locals devastated.

Co-op is due to close its Bishops House food store in Chalfont St Peter in early spring.

Shoppers claim they were told by staff members the store was closing in March because the lease was coming to an end, report.

Residents took to Facebook to express their devastation and frustration at hearing the news. 

One Facebook user said: “It’s awful news.”

Another said: “It is a sad blow to our village…”

One angry user slammed: “I’m at a loss to know the reasoning behind their decision.”

And someone else posted: “So much damage could well be caused by the Co-Op not having a store here.”

Co-Op has confirmed the store will close on March 3 but says it is committed to serving Buckinghamshire communities, operating more than 30 stores across the county.

The supermarket has already closed several of its UK stores and some earmarked for shutting will pull down their shutters soon.

The Co-op in Peacehaven’s Meridian Shopping Centre, East Sussex, is expected to close its doors for the final time on Saturday, January 20.

The branch in Castle House, Sheffield, was shut for good on July 22 last year, although nearby stores in Broad Lane and Glossop Road remain open.

The chain’s branch in Mildenhall Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, closed on August 19, 2023.

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.

Many high street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.

Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Homebase closed a store last year leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.

Poundstretcher closed multiple stores last year but also opened new stores in closed Wilko stores.

Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.

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