CK Food Store in Newtown to shut

A supermarket in a Mid Wales town will close tomorrow and up to a dozen jobs will be lost. Distraught staff said today the CK Food Store in Pool Road, Newtown, is due to shut up shop.

One member of staff, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is true, we are all looking at Friday being the last day and then we are closing.

"The store was a Co-op before being sold to CK and it has only lasted just over a year, which is sad."

Councillors said the closure was another major blow to the town's economy.

Councillor Russell George, town and county councillor, called for business rates to be reduced to help encourage businesses stay in the town.

He said: "Businesses have not had the necessary support to help them through the recent recession."

And he continued: "I believe that all business across Wales with a rateable value of under £12,000 should pay no business rates at all, and rates should be tapered for businesses with rateable values between £12,001 and £15,000.

"A cut in business rates will help businesses ride out the current economic downturn and secure local jobs.

"It's a disappointing blow and I hope staff at the store will be relocated locally."

Fellow town and county Councillor Richard White added: "I am very sorry to see the closure of yet another trading outlet."

A spokeswoman for CK Food Stores said today it seemed unlikely the staff would be relocated.

She said: "I can confirm that the Pool Road supermarket in Newtown is set to close on Friday night for the last time.

"Sadly the members of staff are likely to lose their jobs rather than be relocated around the company."