Co-op store is forced to close over nasty smells (From Echo)

Co-op store is forced to close over nasty smells

2:30pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Southend By Christine Sexton

A SUPERMARKET was forced to close after its customers complained it was kicking up a stink.

The Co-operative store in Leigh Road, Leigh, was closed after customers and staff were overcome by an overwhelming smell, likened to raw sewage.

Francis Buckley, from the Love Leigh campaign group, complained to the supermarket’s head office after the smell persisted for almost a month.

He said: “It was not very nice for the staff so I took it upon myself to complain. They said it was due to a dodgy freezer or fridge.

“They must have been losing customers, but the main issue was to help the staff working there.

“I was told it would be closed but when I went past again on Monday I was amazed to find it was still open and still nauseatingly smelly.”

Mr Buckley added: “I am concerned for the staff. Many of them are casual workers and I am worried that if the store is closed for any amount of time they will not get their pay.”

Speaking yesterday, a resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “It was shut at 10am on Monday and only opened at about 2.30pm.

“And it was the same on Tuesday, it was shut at 10am. I don’t know what the smell was, but it smelt like sewage.”

A spokesman for the Co-op said the smell was being caused by a problem with the store’s dairy fridge.

The spokesman added: “The store closed temporarily on Monday and yesterday morning, while we work hard to resolve the problem.

”We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience.“