Archive - Tuesday, 3 February 2004


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Jobs lost as Kwik Save leaves town

BOSSES at a Chepstow supermarket have announced that it will close at the end of this month due to poor trading.

Eleven people will lose their jobs when Kwik Save in Welsh Street closes its doors at the end of the month.

The store first opened in September 1980, but due to poor sales will shut on February 26, leaving Tesco and Somerfield as the two remaining supermarkets in the town.

A Somerfield spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that the Chepstow Kwik Save will close, due to under performance. This follows an extensive business review and is not a decision that we have taken lightly.

"Kwik Save is looking to find vacancies for staff at other stores in the area."

Chairman of Chepstow Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Paul Richings, said: "I always feel it is very difficult when any business ceases to trade within the town, but I can understand the position of the Somerfield/ Kwik Save group.

"I am actually grateful to the Kwik Save/ Somerfield group for keeping a second store open for as long as they did, after their merger a few years ago.

"Although it is unfortunate due to the loss of jobs, I believe that if the premises is quickly occupied then the impact to the town will not be too damaging."

Cllr Pam Birchall thinks the premises is an ideal place for a cinema, pointing out that it is in a good location on the main street.

Rumours are that Wilkinsons are planning to open a superstore in the building once the premises is vacated but no planning application has yet been received. No-one from Wilkinsons was available to confirm or deny the rumours.

Speaking about the rumours, Cllr Cliff Meredith says it would be a good idea for Wilkinsons to take over the premises.

He said: "I hope something like that would come here, because I had a feeling it would be turned into offices, and that would be a terrible thing.

"People from Caldicot and other areas would hear about it (Wilkinsons), and come for the type of things they sell."