RESIDENTS have reacted with upset after it was confirmed a Swindon Co-Op store and Post Office would be closing in months.

Staff at the Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill supermarket and the Post Office that sits inside it had confirmed to locals that they would both be shutting up shop.

Mindcounties Co-operative, which owns the store, has confirmed the closure stating that the local branch did not '"fit with the long-term strategy."

A statement from the firm said: "The Midcounties Co-operative regularly reviews its property footprint to ensure that it is providing the best opportunity to deliver for its members and continue to support the communities in which it operates.

"As a result of this process, the Gorse Hill store was identified as not fitting with the long-term strategy of the Society and the Midcounties Board has therefore made the difficult decision to plan to close the store. It is expected that the store will close in approximately six months’ time."

The Co-op currently employs 16 members of staff who are now entering into consultation, and where possible, Midcounties Co-operative says, affected colleagues will be offered alternative roles at other sites. 

"We will also work with Post Office Ltd to look for an alternative site for the Post Office currently located within the Gorse Hill store," the company confirmed. 

News of the closure was posted onto social media, with many members of the public upset at the loss of another store, but considerably more at the loss of another Post Office, with many in the area relying on it for banking and other services. 

But, it won't be closing for some time, with staff telling people that the store will remain open until October. 

"The Gorse Hill store continues to trade as usual and our customers can also shop at a range of other Your Co-op stores in the local area, which include our sites at Crossways and Groundwell Road," the spokesperson from Midcounties Co-operative added. 

"Midcounties members will continue to be able to access their member benefits in local Your Co-op stores, online and at all times through the Your Co-op Members app."

Midcounties has announced plans to open 10 new Your Co-op Food stores in 2022, with a total investment of around £5 million. This follows the Society opening seven new food stores in 2021.