38 jobs set to go as Co-op to close Stone branch putting the future of Post Office in doubt

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Almost 40 jobs are set to be lost after the Co-op revealed it is closing a town centre convenience store – putting the future of the Post Office in doubt.

The company is to shut its food shop in High Street, Stone, after a 'decline in sales'.

However, the Post Office based inside the store confirmed it is 'committed' to staying in the town.

A consultation is now being held with the 38 affected staff and it is hoped some could be offered positions elsewhere in the business.

A Central England Co-operative spokesman said: "The society can confirm it is proposing to close its food store and Post Office in Stone.

"It is with great regret that the board of directors has taken this very difficult decision following a full review of the trading performance of the store and Post Office, which has indicated a decline in sales with increasing losses projected in future years.

"Like other retailers, we are constantly adapting to retail challenges at a local level and please be assured this decision was not taken lightly and is necessary to protect the long-term future and growth of the society as a whole.

"Post Office Limited was given formal notification of the closure in January this year and we are working with them to try and find a new Post Office operator.

"This decision in no way reflects upon the excellent endeavours of the colleagues at Stone store and Post Office and the board of directors would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication."

A date for the proposed closure has yet to be confirmed but it will be no sooner than October 2017 when the lease expires.

A Post Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that Central England Co-operative has given us notice that they intend to close their Stone store which currently houses Stone Post Office.

"We would like to assure customers that the Post Office is committed to maintaining a service in the area and will work hard to ensure this. We are currently assessing options to maintain service while we work to identify a permanent solution for Post Office customers in Stone."

News of the closure come after Suma Developments, which leases the building to the Co-op, warned planners that Marks & Spencer's planned new store at Westbridge Park could have a negative impact on other retailers.

Objecting to the application, director Paul McLoughlin said at the time: "We believe that the threat of further competition from the proposed M&S store will severely affect trading, will lead to a real risk of closure and that this site may become vacant and available.

"Should the Co-op be lost from the High Street and the proposed M&S be constructed at Westbridge Park, we concur with others in the community, that this could well be the death of the town centre."

Councillor Jill Hood, who sits on Stone Town Council, said she was dismayed to hear about the job losses.

She added: "As soon as that M&S plan was sanctioned by the council, it was a massive nail in the coffin for Stone High Street. A lot of people won't come into the High Street and why should they? A lot of people use the Co-op because it is a convenient. It's not only our shops that are going to suffer out but our restaurants and eateries too.

"A lot of the workers at the Co-op have given their loyalty to the town. It's awful because there are a lot of long-standing staff. It is an absolute tragedy. There's also the impact on the Post Office."