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Shoppers say Co-op closure a 'big loss' to community

BBC Aparna Valsala wears glasses, a red fleeced jacket and a rollneck jumper. She is smiling while standing in front of the Co-op storeBBC
Aparna Valsala is one of the regular customers who will be affected by the closure

Shoppers have expressed their "disappointment" after it was announced their local Co-op store would close.

The firm confirmed on Friday that it would be closing its branch in The Meadows in Nottingham.

Residents said the shop, in the Bridgeway Centre, had been a mainstay of the area for more than 50 years and would be particularly missed by elderly and vulnerable customers.

Co-op did not give a reason for the closure but said it was a "difficult decision".

The firm said it had a number of branches still open nearby, in Station Street, Trent Bridge and Trent Boulevard, in West Bridgford - but many shoppers said that was not close enough.

Co-op store in the Meadows, Nottingham
The shop had been in The Meadows for decades and would be missed, customers said

"It's convenient. It's a convenience store, that's what it's called and now it's not going to be here," said David Cooksy.

The 85-year-old, who regularly visited the branch with his wife Heidi, 82, said he was "disappointed" to learn it was closing.

"It's always been here. I go back to the 50s in The Meadows and there's always been a Co-op," he added.

Heidi and David Cooksy
Heidi and David Cooksy said they wondered what The Meadows would be left with after the closure of the Co-op store

Laney Neilson, 24, said her grandparents, in their 60s, relied on the branch for their regular, household shopping.

"Because the winter payments for some pensioners has stopped, they can't afford their mobility scooter any more so this is the only shop in walking distance to them," she said.

Ms Neilson added her grandparents would be "quite upset" to learn of the shop's closure, and said other elderly residents living nearby would be negatively affected.

Laney Neilson
Laney Neilson said the shop was the only one within walking distance for her grandparents

Meadows resident Aparna Valsala, 33, said: "You see so many people come here in the morning - it's a loss to the community."

Shoppers said they were told the branch would close in November.

A spokesperson for firm said: "Co-op regularly reviews its stores. In addition to opening new stores we sometimes – and only after careful consideration – have to take the difficult decision to close a store.

"With the expiry of the lease our store in the Bridgeway Centre will close."

The firm said "every effort" was being taken to offer staff alternative positions.

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