Fight begins amid fears St John's Co-op supermarket could be turned into housing

Campaigners want to make sure the Co-op supermarket in Bullring, St John's remains as retail space.

There are rumours that the building which dates back to the 1970s could be turned into housing.

Councillor Richard Udall called the store an 'anchor' in St John's which attracts custom for other businesses in the area.

He is due to table a motion at Worcester City Council asking for it to remain a retail space and has set up a petition which has been signed by 255 people.

Cllr Udall said: "We want to keep St John's as a retail centre and will try to do everything we can to keep it that way.

"It will be a disaster to lose another site to housing and will have a devastating impact on the community in St John's.

"The support to keep it as a retail space has been overwhelming.

"One of the rumours is that a housing association has bought it.

"I've had contact from a number of traders who are very concerned because they rely on the footfall into St John's.

"They want it to continue as a retail business or at least the shop frontage if we have to compromise."

He has been speaking to staff at the Co-op who were told in a meeting last week that the supermarket in St John's will be closing on Saturday, April 9.

"They are really hurt and offended by the decision to do this without warning.

"Some people have worked there for 30/40 years so it is going to be difficult to seek further employment."

Co-op supermarket's long history in St John's

The supermarket has had a long history in the area opening in the 1890s where Pasha Everest restaurant is now.

It moved to its current home on Bullring in the 1970s when it was known as Co-op Leo's.

A spokesperson for Co-op said: “Co-op is moving forward with a real purpose and momentum, and while this usually involves opening new stores, we also regularly review our existing locations and have to take these difficult decisions.

“The decision to close any store is not taken lightly, and only after careful consideration will our store in St John’s close on 9 April.

"This is in no way a reflection on the commitment and hard work of colleagues, who have been informed and who are being fully supported.

"We would like to thank the community for its support of this store over the years and, remain committed to serving our members and customers in Worcester from our stores locally and across the area.”