Jobs under threat as Shropshire stores sold off

The Midcounties Co-operative has been told to sell its stores and petrol stations in Bishop's Castle and Craven Arms following an Office of Fair Trading investigation.

The decision has been met with disappointment by officials at the Midcounties Co-operative, who have pledged to support staff.

It is not yet clear if any jobs will be lost, and store chiefs have already started discussions with potential buyers.

It comes after the Midcounties Co-operative bought out the Harry Tuffins chain of supermarkets, which included several stores across south Shropshire and Mid Wales, in March for an undisclosed sum.

In a 43-page report, the OFT ruled that competition issues had arisen due to the Midcounties Co-operative already having stores of its own in several of the towns with Harry Tuffins shops or had stores in nearby towns. It said a number of complaints had been raised by third parties.

The report said: "Midcounties indicated that in order to remedy any competition concerns, and to avoid a reference to the Competition Commission, they would be prepared to offer undertakings in lieu.

"Specifically, Midcounties' offer is to divest each of the Harry Tuffins stores in Bishop's Castle, Craven Arms, Lydney and Coleford in Gloucestershire."

Ben Reid, chief executive of the Midcounties Co-operative, said: "Disappointingly the OFT has decided that we must sell stores in Bishop's Castle, Craven Arms, Lydney and Coleford. As a result we are now actively talking to potential buyers.

"This is obviously an unsettling time for our colleagues in the affected stores with whom we are consulting and providing appropriate support."