Supermarket chain with 73 stores will close its branch permanently and sell it to Tesco

Shoppers are devastated as a supermarket chain with 73 stores is about to close a branch for good.

The much-loved bargain retailer is closing one of its stores in Essex within hours.

2

2

Co-op is rolling down the rubble at its branch in Frinton’s Triangle Shopping Center in Rochford Way.

A sign at the entrance read: “We would like to thank you, our members and customers, and the team at this store for the service they have provided over the years.”

Loyal customers who took to a Facebook group said they had until today to fill their shopping cart.

Bosses said staff working at the store will be given roles by the new owners or in another nearby east of England Cooperative stores.

The move has saddened dozens of local shoppers.

Many said on Facebook that the long-standing store will be missed.

One user sobbed: “I always used the co-op during lockdown, the only store where I felt safe, it will be missed I’m sure.”

Another added: “I’ve been using the Triangle Coop for almost 20 years. Thank you to all the staff who helped us.”

A third wrote: “We will have to find another source of sandwiches and hot sausage rolls.”

Others also thanked staff for their work over 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 in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

It is understood that Tesco will move into the unit and will also become the new owner of the Triangle Shopping Centre.

The changes include F&F clothing, Costa Express, an ATM and lottery services.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We are delighted 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 remains open in Connaught Avenue, as do those in Frinton Road, Holland-on-Sea and Walton High Street.

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

Discount supermarket Iceland is closing its doors for the final time at its location in the Rugby Central Shopping Centre.

Why are shops in the major shopping streets closing?

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

At the same time, the cost of living has risen, causing consumers to cut back on non-essential expenses.

Brick-and-mortar stores have also experienced a lack of foot traffic due to consumers’ shift to online shopping.

Beloved discounter Wilko will close all its stores in October, laying off thousands of employees, after the company enters administration.

Well-known brands such as M&Co and Paperchase also had to close all their British stores earlier this year.

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

However, some chains have managed to defy the problems on the high street and are about to open new stores.

This includes discount chains such as Poundland, which will open 15 stores in the coming weeks, and Greggs, which plans to open 150 new stores this year.

In the meantime, we have also collected all closure locations of retail chains in September.