A LEADING supermarket retailer is set to close a “cornerstone” store this summer – leaving residents devastated.
A petition has been launched to try and reverse the decision.
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The retail giant said the closure of the Halesowen store was a “difficult decision” to make Credit: Unknown
The well-loved store was known for being a “cornerstone” of the community Credit: Getty
The Tesco Express store on Dudley Road, Halesowen, is set to close in July, following a “difficult decision” by the firm.
The hugely popular store was frequented often by residents of the 60,000-strong town, and was largely known for its “impeccable customer service”.
One resident even commented: “Couldn’t help but smile to myself in noticing how warm and friendly the staff were.”
Now, heartbroken locals are calling on the retailer to reverse the decision, and have launched a petition to garner widespread support.
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The petition, which has now reached 148 signatures, said: “Tesco Express in Halesowen is not just a shop; it’s a cornerstone of our community.
“The potential closure of Tesco Express Halesowen would have far-reaching consequences for our local community, especially for residents who may not have the means or the mobility to travel further afield to other supermarkets.
“This store supports our community by providing jobs for local residents and being a safe, reliable place for students and parents alike. Losing this store would mean losing a huge part of our community’s fabric.”
If the expected closure does go ahead, the next nearest Tesco store would be almost a 25-minute walk away.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We have taken the difficult decision to close our Dudley Road Express store later this year.
“The store will continue to trade as normal until then, and we will continue to serve the local area through a number of other nearby stores.”
The supermarket giant added that staff would be redeployed to other stores in the area and would continue to discuss the changes with colleagues.
