13 JOBS TO GO IN SHOCK TRURO CLOSURE

2.40.41pm GMT Thu 7th Jan 2010

Three full time and 10 part time workers are to lose their jobs in Truro next week, with the shock closure of the Co-Operative store in Uplands Crescent.

The store will close on Wednesday, 13 January. Terrye Teverson ran a high profile campaign last year against the removal of the sub-post office from the shop fearing that it would also destabilise the shop itself.

"The closure of the co-op shop in Uplands Crescent is not only a disaster for the workers who will lose their jobs, but for the whole community," said Terrye Teverson, the Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth.

"Many elderly and vulnerable people rely on convenience stores like this one for much of their weekly shopping. The decision to close the sub post office last year was almost certainly the final nail in the coffin for the shop which relied on customers using the post office as well as buying groceries. The need for local small shops is particularly clearly seen during the very cold weather we are experiencing. It is clearly a lifeline to many older people who can't get out."

A spokeswoman for The Co-operative said the closure decision was taken with the greatest reluctance and much regret, but was due to the store's poor trading performance.

She emphasised that The Co-operative is committed to community retailing in the region and in the past year has invested several million pounds in refitting and converting local stores to its popular convenience and supermarket formats which offer modern shopping facilities and comprehensive ranges.

Mrs Teverson added: "As a local businesswoman I understand that no shop can continue if it's not making a reasonable return. The problem here is that for many people the local convenience store is an essential lifeline. This closure will hit the most vulnerable people in Truro the hardest. Royal Mail should look seriously at its closure policy in Cornwall. The top management should understand that their decision to close small sub post offices has a trickle-down effect which ultimately means local people lose their jobs and services - it's just not good enough."