A village has been stunned by the sudden closure of one of its long-established shops.
After more than 18 years, the Spar store on Uppermill’s High Street has put down its shutters for the last time – making seven shop assistants, including part-timers, redundant.
A senior spokesman for Alfred Jones, who operate 70 Spar across the M62 corridor, said: “It’s a very sad day for Uppermill.
“But the economic conditions and increased rent have forced us not renew the lease next month.
“When Tesco arrived in Greenfield we saw a downturn in business and coupled with rent increase the store has not been profitable.”
The closure was treated with shock and surprise by local residents. At the Warburton Court retirement home, opposite the store, residents used to cross the street to pick up groceries.
The house manager, who did not want to be named, said: “This closure will have a massive impact on my residents. It was so convenient for them to walk out for bread or milk.
“It takes away their independence and they have to rely on family and friends to bring them things.
“I have 57 residents and a lot of them can’t get as far as other stores in the centre of the village. We’ve had residents in the past try to walk there but a few have fallen on the cobbles.”
She added: “I am also saddened for the people working there too who have lost their jobs. The staff were always friendly and very good with my residents, helping them cross the road.
“It is not just us it will affect – it’s other locals around the area too,” she added.
And a Warburton Court resident, who has lived there for three years, fears the village does not have the necessary alternatives to attract shoppers.
She said: “There is no parking at some shops so drivers will just go through without stopping.
“Now we’ll have to go elsewhere – but some of the residents are nearing 100 years old and can’t walk very far. But you can’t keep a shop open for one block of old people.”
Meantime, the Co-operative Food Store on Chew Valley Road in Greenfield has been sold to an independent retailer as a going concern.
The store’s last day of trading as a Co-operative Food Store will be Tuesday, October 1, with the new operator taking over on Friday, October 4. All staff will transfer to the new business.
You must be logged in to post a comment.