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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Lucy Marshall

Devastated Leeds residents could be left without corner shops as McColl's stores face closure

Leeds residents are worried about the potential closure of their nearest corner shops after McColl's said it was to appoint administrators.

Hundreds of McColl's stores, including many across Yorkshire, could face closure as a result. The retailer has struggled badly on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Issues with supplies, as well as inflation and a heavy debt burden, all contributed to difficulties nationwide. If stores are to close it will leave many areas without a corner shop.

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More than 100 stores could close in Yorkshire and the Humber, with thousands losing their jobs. A number of residents across Leeds shop at their local McColl's on a daily basis and worry about where they will shop if their local branch closes.

Sarah, who lives in Woodhouse, and is a student at Leeds Beckett University, often goes to the Kirkstall Road store. She said: "I use the shop all the time, it's only a couple of doors down from me. I didn't realise McColl's was going into administration. I would be really sad if this shop left the area."

A number of residents who head to Belle Vue's McColl's said it would be a 'great loss' if the shop went and their nearest shop is around a mile walk away (Lucy Marshall)

Mick, who often heads into Stainbeck Road's McColl's for "a few bits and bobs", said: "That would be so annoying if it went - it's my local do you know what I mean? I'm always in here me." Resident Donna added: "Yeah, we'd miss it you know."

Matthew Cameron, who lives close to McColl's in Belle Vue Road said: "I come in to get cereal, crisps, bits and bobs. It's my main shop. I would be devastated if this shop was gone, it would be a big loss to the area to be honest. It would definitely be a big loss for me.

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"I would have to walk a mile to the nearest shop and go to Burley Road which is quite a walk from here. I wouldn't like that to happen. I guess if the shop goes following the administration, that's what's going to happen, but I really wouldn't like it."

Sky, who lives very close to the Belle Vue Road McColl's, goes to the shop every day. She said: "I go there pretty much every day to get bits, it would be super inconvenient if it went. I'd have to go to Burley Road but it's all the way downhill so if I went there it would be a bit of a trek."

Gabby, who visits her sister in Leeds who lives "just around the corner" from McColl's in Belle Vue, often goes to the shop to pick up supplies for her sibling. She said: "I often go to the shop as my sister lives around here. I just get a few bits. It would be a bit annoying if it was gone because it's just the local one to go to. I'd have to walk quite far if it shut."

Students Dan and Stephan live across the road from the same shop. Stephan said: "I shop there often - around three times a week. We live in the flats just opposite. We would miss it. We have definitely taken it for granted. I'd probably go to Tesco which is a 10 minute walk away if the shop shut down."

McColl's in Woodhouse, Leeds. Residents worry about where they will be able to get quick supplies locally if their nearest McColl's closes down (Lucy Marshall)

A spokesperson for McColl's said: "In order to protect creditors, preserve the future of the business and to protect the interests of employees, the board was regrettably therefore left with no choice other than to place the company in administration, appointing PriceWaterhouseCoopers as administrators, in the expectation that they intend to implement a sale of the business to a third-party purchaser as soon as possible."

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