Co-op is set to close its store in a popular location in the UK next month, despite the efforts of the town’s MP and residents all signing cards and fighting to keep it open
A popular shop is set to close its doors for the final time, to the disappointment of locals who have signed cards thanking staff for their service.
Co-op is set to close one of its 2,500 branches. Although several people have written to the local MP, it seems as though the store will close. The final date the Co-op store in Honiton, East Devon, will close is Saturday, March 15. This weekend, kind members of the public held a stall outside the shop so people could sign a card to its workers and express their concerns.
Richard Foord, MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, said on his Facebook page: “Several people have written to me concerned about the closure of Honiton’s Co-op – due on 15th March. I have written to the Chief Exec of the Co-op, and have been told that customers can email [email protected] to obtain further information and express their views.
“This is not only a disappointment for residents, but also for supporters of Honiton Fairtrade , who had an excellent launch event last year. There will be a stall outside the Co-op on Saturday 8 February where people can sign a card for staff and express their concern about the closure. Please contact [email protected] for more details.”
Shoppers and locals have been saddened by the news. Nearly 200 people wrote thank you cards to staff at the branch, The Midweek Herald reports, last weekend
Honiton Fairtrade said: “We filled 10 thank you cards this morning outside the Co op…over 100 people signed( first names only). Thank you to everyone who stopped and for you all being so positive. It was a lovely experience for the six of us who ran it.
“The Co-op staff said it gave them a great feeling people wanted to thank them. We gave them two delicious sponge cakes from Mrs Fowler the egg lady to share over the next few days.
“Thank you to all the Co-op shoppers who stopped to sign our 10 thank you cards to the lovely staff team in the Co op yesterday. We enjoyed meeting you and counted up names on the cards…174 in 2 hours! We will give the cards to the staff this week. On Saturday we gave them cake!
“We’ve scanned the cards and will send to Co-op’s Head Office to show many Honiton people don’t want to lose the Co op from our town. [We will] thank the lovely staff and express our sadness the store is closing and we’re losing such a great provider of Fairtrade products.
“Honiton as a recognised Fairtrade Town will be the poorer for this closure.”
