Highcliffe Co-op to close for good on 14th September

RESIDENTS have slammed the impending closure of a Highcliffe store described as “a lifeline for the elderly”.

The Co-op has announced it is shutting its branch on Lymington Road on 14th September following a “review of existing store locations”.

A Co-op spokesperson said: “We carry out reviews of our existing store locations, and sometimes, only after very careful consideration, we take the difficult decision to close a store.

“Our store in Lymington Road, Highcliffe, will close on 14th September, and our priority is now to fully support colleagues, who have been informed.

“We understand this won’t be welcomed by everyone, and would like to thank the community for its support of this store.”

Residents took to online community pages to share their shock at the news, with some fearing the site will be sold for flats.

“It’s very sad as many of the elderly rely on this shop as they cannot drive or get far,” one wrote.

“No doubt this land will be sold off to more unaffordable flats, destroying our high street and no doubt taking the car park [to the rear] away.

“I feel sorry for the wonderful staff in there and hope they get some redundancy pay!”

One wrote simply: “Highcliffe is ruined. Not a village anymore. Sad.”

But another argued the decision to close may not have been made if more people had shopped at the store.

“Shops are not on the high street as a public convenience, they are there to make profit for their owners,” they commented.

“Once this no longer happens it will only ever end one way. Use it or lose it!”