Community to lose vital shop (From Barry And District News)

Community to lose vital shop

A CLOSE-knit community is losing the valued service of its local shop and Post Office.

Merretts, which has the vital facility inside its Port Road shop, have been forced to close due to the recent extension of Tesco.

They have been given notice to quit the premises by Christmas Eve leaving the staff without employment and the area without a Post Office. This news has left customers reeling.

Regular John Martin said: "I feel sorry for the staff. Many of them have been here since the store opened 15 years ago. Also I'll miss the convenience."

Mr Martin of Highlight Park regularly uses the Post Office.

He added: "I collect my mother's pension, tax the car, everything really. And although it doesn't seem much, to my 90-year-old mum who can't walk very far, it makes a difference when she can choose someone's birthday card herself."

Managing Director of Newshops Ltd, Jerry Marwood said: "We are admitting defeat in our attempt to take over the Merrett's Store in Barry. The landlord for this site is Tesco and at the time of our take-over of Merrett's, we believed we could come to an arrangement to continue trading. However, we have been served formal notice from the landlord to quit and that's what we have to do."

He added: "Newshops will be working with the Merrett's personnel in an attempt to find their staff alternative roles in other businesses in the area. This has been a difficult period for our teams, and they have given us 100 percent commitment. We are extremely grateful for their hard work and loyalty."

Despite repeated attempts to talk to Tesco, they had not given any comment before the News went to press.