Supermarket with 28 British stores will close branches and could be replaced by an ASDA
SHOPPERS are left heartbroken as a much-loved store announces its closure to make way for a supermarket giant.
The store has 28 stores in the UK, but will now have one less and ASDA could claim the patch.
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Known for selling luxury groceries, residents of Hale Barns, Cheshire, will now have to go elsewhere to buy their luxury food.
Booths today announced the closure of the branch after nine years serving the village – and locals are distraught.
Although not confirmed, it is believed that an ASDA will replace the store.
Booths has now commenced a consultation process with a view to transferring the lease to ASDA.
“I am terribly sad about this. I have worked for Booths Hale Barns from the beginning.
“I met some great colleagues and customers and the management were brilliant.
“Sadly I had to retire due to ill health. It's such a shame to see Booths leave Hale Barns. I wish all my former colleagues the very best,” wrote one.
Another added: “I'm devastated to hear this news, Booths is a fantastic store on my doorstep, I use it regularly and a loyal customer.”
A third offered: “Stripped! Asda is not the right company to take over this site and I don't expect them to do any better in terms of traffic, in fact I would expect it to be less.”
The store is not “profitable under the Booths model” due to the “challenges of significantly increasing operating costs”, a Booths spokesperson said.
They added: “It is expected that all jobs will be protected and transferred to ASDA.
“Closing any store is a very difficult decision and is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team at Hale Barns, or of the wider Booths business.
“Booths would like to thank all colleagues and customers for their support since the store opened over 8 years ago.
“We would also like to provide assurance that we have no plans to exit our other stores.”
“We would also like to provide assurance that we have no plans to exit our other stores.”
No closing date has yet been confirmed by Booths, although Altrincham Today understands it could be as early as April.
It comes as Morrisons tries to win back shoppers from German discounters by aligning prices on more than 200 products.
From Monday, items on shelves will be marked at the same price or lower as Lidl and Aldi.
It comes after Asda also recently made a similar move, becoming the first chain to promise to rival both discount supermarkets.
Other retail giants, such as Tesco and Sainsbury's, offer a unique Aldi promise.
Morrisons' price match promise will be tested against rivals twice a week.
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