‘We’ll really miss it’ sob shoppers as supermarket chain with 73 shops to close branch for good – and sell it to Tesco

SHOPPERS have been left devastated as a supermarket chain with 73 shops is set to close a branch for good.

The beloved bargain retailer is shutting one of its stores in Essex in a matter of hours.

East of England Co-op is rolling down the shutters on its branch at Frinton's Triangle Shopping Centre in Rochford Way.

At the entrance, a sign read: "We would like to say a huge thank you to you, our members and customers, and to the team at this store for the service they have provided over the years."

Loyal customers taking to a Facebook group said they had until today to fill up their baskets.

Bosses said staff working in the store will be given a role by the new owners or in other nearby East of England Co-op stores.

The move has left dozens of local shoppers saddened.

Writing online, many said the long-standing store will be missed.

One user sobbed: "I always used the Co-op during lockdown, only shop I felt safe in, it will be missed I'm sure."

Another added: "I have used the Triangle Co-op for almost 20 years. Thank you to all the staff who have served us."

A third penned: "We will have to find another source of sandwiches and hot sausage rolls."

Others also thanked staff for their work throughout the years, with one saying: "Sad times, best wishes to all the staff."

And another added: "Thank you Co-op for all the wonderful years at The Triangle Shopping Centre."

East of England Co-op is independent of Co-op and has 73 branches across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

It is understood that Tesco will be moving into the unit, as well as becoming the new owner of the Triangle Shopping Centre. 

Changes aim to include F&F clothing, Costa Express, an ATM and lottery services.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re excited to be opening our first Tesco Superstore in Frinton this year, complementing our nearby Express store in Walton.

"We look forward to serving the local community when our doors open in May and supporting the region through our Stronger Starts and Community Food Connection initiatives.”

Locals can still flock to the area to do their shopping.

The East of England Co-op store will remain open in Connaught Avenue, as well as those in Frinton Road, Holland-on-Sea, and Walton High Street.

It comes as a major high street chain with 900 branches will pull the plug on another store today following several closures.

Discount supermarket Iceland will close its doors for the final time at its site in Rugby Central Shopping Centre.

Why are high street stores closing?

The retail sector has been hit hard in recent years due to the growth of online shopping, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the same time the cost of living has been rising, leading to shoppers cutting back on non-essential spending.

Brick-and-mortar stores have also seen a lack of footfall due to consumer habits switching to online shopping.

Beloved discounter Wilko is to close all of its stores by October, with thousands of workers set for redundancy, after it collapsed into administration.

Familiar brands like M&Co and Paperchase also went under closing all of their UK shops earlier this year.

House of Fraser is set to pull the shutters down on one of its stores in its latest round of closures.

However, some chains have managed to defy high street troubles and are set to open new shops.

These include discount chains like Poundland which is set to open 15 shops in the coming weeks and Greggs which is aiming to open 150 new sites this year.

Meanwhile, we've also rounded up all the high street chains closing sites in September.