IT’S the end of the road for the Co-op in Lydney town centre after the supermarket announced that it is closing next month.

Staff were informed last week that the store on Newerne Street is closing on September 17, with the site having been identified as not fitting in with the Midcounties Cooperative’s long-term plans back in 2020.

It was put on the market as a £1.5 million “development opportunity” back in May, and as a potential buyer for the site has now emerged, Midcounties has taken the decision to close up.

The company says the Post Office, pharmacy and travel store on site will continue to trade “as usual”.

The identity of the potential buyer has not yet been revealed.

A spokesperson for Midcounties says the company has entered into consultation with the 21 staff who work at the store, and that “where possible” they will offer roles to those affected at other sites “within the Midcounties family of businesses”.

The closure follows the end of a long running saga in Cinderford for the Co-op, with Midcounties having finally sold its Dockham Road store to Tesco in April - more than 20 years after its rival first declared an interest.

A statement from Midcounties reads: “The Midcounties Co-operative regularly reviews its property portfolio to ensure it is providing the best opportunity to deliver for its members and continuing to support the communities in which it operates.

“As a result of this process, in 2020 the Lydney site was identified as not fitting with the long-term strategy of the Society and the site was subsequently placed on the market.

“A potential buyer for the site has now been identified and we have therefore taken the difficult decision to close the food store operating on the site from 17th September.

“The post office, pharmacy and travel store on the site continue to trade as usual.”

Midcounties opened two more Your Co-op stores in the Forest in 2021, in Bream on Coleford Road and at the top of Lydney on Highfield Hill. 

“We’d like to thank all our customers and members for shopping at the store over the years and look forward to welcoming them at one of our other Your Co-op stores in the Forest of Dean, which include our convenience store in Lydney as well as sites in Coleford and Bream”, the statement continued.

“Midcounties members will continue to be able to access their member benefits in local Your Co-op stores, online and at all times through the Your Co-op Members app.”