People in Carlton have said they will be sad to see their Co-Op store go after it was sold. People recalled that the store has been there for many years.
The store at 63 Gedling Road in Carlton is being turned into another convenience store. Staff at the current Co-Op - which hasn’t closed yet - have not been made redundant and are expected to keep their jobs. The store has been sold to Highbury Vale Limited. Whilst it will still be a store, many people are sad to see the Co-Op go.
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Fifty-year-old Martyn Comerie is from Carlton and found out about Co-Op’s closure on Facebook. “I heard on Facebook Co-Op will be something else, it’s short notice," said Martyn, who is unemployed due to illness. "I don’t think many people are happy about it.”
Many people are concerned about the convenient Post Office inside the Co-Op closing down too. Martyn continued: “The nearest Post Office is on Station Road and there’s one on Westhill Lane but it’s up a hill.
“I’d like to see the store just stay the same, when it turns into the new store. I’ll go in to see how it is and if it’s changed for better or for worse.”
Fifty-five-year-old Lynda Martin lives in Gedling and said that although this Co-Op is closing down, there’s already a bigger store nearby.
The letting agent said: “I do go into this store but there’s another nearby, it’s much bigger and to be honest, the parking at this store is a nightmare. Here is good for getting a few bits.”
If the store wasn’t turning into a shop, Lynda revealed more about what she feels the area needs. She said: “I’d like to see more community here, I went to West Bridgford recently and I’d love to see more sit outside, join in type places.
“I’ve lived here all my life and the area is forgotten about a bit. One of the sad things about this Co-Op closing is it is like a little community, the staff are friendly and they remember you, the store has been here since I was a kid!”
Mark Johnson, 49 and from Gedling, also thinks it’s a shame the store is closing down. The civil servant said: “I enjoy coming to this Co-Op, it’s convenient for me with the Post Office here and I come here often.
“I’m happy all the staff get to keep their jobs though, it would be unfortunate if that wasn’t the case. It’s a good store, it’s been here for years and whatever it turns into, people will definitely still go. I think it’s just a case of people being content with a Co-Op store, it’s something that didn’t require change.”
78-year-old Doretha Adkin from Carlton found out about the store's closure through a phone call with her son.
She said: “I don’t go in there [the Co-Op store] on a regular basis, I go to the bigger one. Usually, my husband goes to Tesco or Sainsbury’s. I have been in before and it’s always packed. If it wasn’t turning into another shop, I’d like to see somewhere where you can buy clothes around here, it’s all charity shops and takeaways.”
A spokesperson from Co-Op confirmed: "The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum and while this often involves opening new stores, we also regularly review our existing locations. The decision to sell any store is not taken lightly and, only after careful consideration is our store in Gedling Road to be sold.
"Our priority has been to safeguard local jobs, and colleagues - who have been informed – will transfer (under TUPE* regulations) to the new operator. We would like to thank the community for its support of the store over the years.”
