Bargain supermarket chain to close shop that’s been open for almost 25 years

A HUGE bargain supermarket chain is set to close one of its shops that has been open for almost 25 years in a matter of days.

LIDL will bring an end to trading at one of its stores in Barnstapple, Devon at the end of June much to the disappointment of its customers.

The German-owned retailer has been operating out of its Barnstaple Retail Park site, on Station Rd, for almost a quarter of a century but with two other stores nearby, the decision has been made to bring the curtains down.

All staff, however, will be redeployed where possible, according to Lidl.

A specific date for the store closure is yet to be announced, although Sunday, June 30 is expected to be the final day of trading.

A spokesperson for the bargain retailer said: “We can confirm that the lease of our store on Station Rd is coming to an end, and it has been proposed that the store, which first opened its doors almost a quarter of a century ago, will close at the end of June.

“However, residents can be assured that they will still be able to access our great value products at our newer, much larger Gratton Way store and also our store on Old Station Road, both of which are close by.”

The stores on Old Station Road and Gratton Way also boast longer opening times, with both closing at 10pm throughout the week.

The two stores are located just a five minute drive away, too, albeit in opposite directions.

But the news of Barnstaple’s oldest store closing has hit shoppers hard.

The locals will miss the store greatly, with one shopper calling it a “good place to shop”.

“It is really well stocked with great products,” said another.

A third added: “Staff is absolutely marvellous.”

Earlier this month, Lidl also confirmed that one of its city centre branches is closing for good after nearly two decades of trading.

The discount supermarket says an outlet in Edinburgh will shut up shop and it is now on the lookout for a replacement site.

Elsewhere, beloved discount chain B&M has closed another of its shops for the final time this weekend.

The B&M in Oldham’s Spindles Shopping Centre had its last day of trading today (Saturday, June 22).

And a popular bakery chain is set to shut down its “super friendly” store amid plans to have more than 3,000 shops.

Greggs is pulling the shutters down on one of its location in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire – but it’s not all bad news.