34 jobs are lost as supermarket to close (From Echo)
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34 jobs are lost as supermarket to close
7:40am Saturday 9th June 2012 in News By Melissa Hills
Closing – the Somerfield store in Billericay
WORKERS are reeling from the news their jobs are to go as a supermarket shuts.
The Somerfield store, in High Street, Billericay, will close next month with the loss of 34 jobs.
The store was taken over by the Co-op in March 2009, but its closure means its three full-time staff and 31 part-time staff will all be out of work.
A worker at the store, who didn’t want to be named said: “It is really sad news the shop is closing.
“Lots of people here are going to lose their jobs and in these times it’s so hard to get a new job. It’s devastating.”
The news comes as a blow for the high street as Billericay Office supplies, Revere hairdressers and P and T Bait and Tackle have also shut in recent weeks.
It leaves the town with two supermarkets – Waitrose and Iceland.
Trevor Draper, who owns the Cook Shop in Billericay, and is the former head of the town’s chamber of commerce, said: “This is disappointing news and it worries me what is going to take the shop’s place.
“I think we are finally seeing the recession hit our high street and we are at tipping point, where we have seen lots of shops shut recently.
“We need another grocery store in the town, having two is not enough.
“I want to know what our politicians are doing to improve our high street.”
Phil Turner, deputy leader of Basildon Council and ward councillor for Billericay West, said: “I am concerned for the workers and hope they find new jobs in these difficult times.
“This is a large unit in the high street and I would like to see it retained as retail and not turned into another leisure establishment. We have enough of them and it will tip the balance of the town.
“I think Somerfield has been squeezed out since Iceland opened and with Waitrose across the road, it turned into the middle competition. I think a Next or Marks & Spencers would do well in the town.”
A spokesman for the Co-operative Food and Somerfield, said: “The Co-operative Group, which runs the Somerfield store, can confirm the shop in Billericay, is due to close on Saturday, July 7. Staff at the store have been informed of the decision, which has been taken with the greatest reluctance and is due to the store’s lease coming to an end.
“It is not, in any way, a reflection on the commitment and hard work of the store team.
“Every effort will be made to redeploy as many as possible of the three full-time and 31 part-time staff with the Co-operative, or to help them find alternative employment.”
Comments(17)
Dan_
says...
8:17am Sat 9 Jun 12
Also, one hairdresser closing on that high street is not a sign of recession, it means that particular business type is sharing a client base with an abundance of competitors (there are approximately 1,700 hairdressing salons on Billericay highstreet). People are worried about too many drinking establishments, you've more chance of tripping over discarded hair rollers than pint glasses :-)
Talking Cures
says...
9:14am Sat 9 Jun 12
caroljb
says...
10:17am Sat 9 Jun 12
I bet Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury all ready have their sights on this!
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
10:46am Sat 9 Jun 12
Trevor Draper, who owns the Cook Shop in Billericay, and is the former head of the town’s chamber of commerce, said: “This is disappointing news and it worries me what is going to take the shop’s place.
there's always room for another drinking establishment or three.....
Major Incident
says...
12:26pm Sat 9 Jun 12
caroljb wrote:How so? As the article clearly says, the Somerfield company were bought by the Co-op (not Safeways or Morrisons) in 2009. Since the Co-op didn't change the signage as was done with all of the other Somerfield branches, the writing has been on the wall for the last 3 years that the lease for this store would not be renewed.
I am surprised this Somerfield is actually open, as most Somerfield stores changed to Safeway then Morrisons many years ago. I bet Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury all ready have their sights on this!
Lady milly from Billericay
says...
9:22am Mon 11 Jun 12
Major Incident
says...
10:22am Mon 11 Jun 12
a127scamera
says...
3:19pm Mon 11 Jun 12
Sainsburys have just opened up a new store opposite so writing is on the wall for that overpriced Co-op.
paulzone
says...
4:44pm Mon 11 Jun 12
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
4:52pm Mon 11 Jun 12
paulzone wrote:what the bignobs of Billericay really want is a 24 hour Harrod's Food Hall or a Fortnum and Mason.....
Who needs Co-op when you have Waitrose
doasilikey
says...
7:21pm Mon 11 Jun 12
Last Poster
says...
9:18pm Mon 11 Jun 12
The Cater Wood Creeper wrote:I really like that comment CWC. Plus the one that follows by doasilikey.:)
paulzone wrote:what the bignobs of Billericay really want is a 24 hour Harrod's Food Hall or a Fortnum and Mason.....
Who needs Co-op when you have Waitrose
Alan Jacobs
says...
10:50am Tue 12 Jun 12
The next problem was that as soon as Somerfield was taken over by the Co-op the prices shot up through the roof.
I used to shop their all the time until one day I couldn't get parked and ended up having a nose in Waitrose only to find that the prices were cheaper and the whole shopping experience was much better with plenty of stock , variety , staff and parking.
Somerfields will leave a big hole in the high street but I reckon that a space like that will make an ideal bar or restaurant (LOL.)
Alan Jacobs
says...
10:53am Tue 12 Jun 12
alert
says...
11:34pm Wed 13 Jun 12
alert
says...
11:36pm Wed 13 Jun 12
Phil Sick says...
7:58am Sat 9 Jun 12
Now, if i was a gambling man, i'd say it's going to be a pound shop