SHOPPERS are heartbroken as a beloved store announces its closure to make way for a supermarket giant.
The shop has 28 stores across the UK but will now have one less and ASDA could claim the patch.
Known for selling high end groceries the residents of Hale Barns, Cheshire, will now have to go elsewhere to buy their fancy food.
Booths announced its closure of the branch today after nine years serving the village – and the locals are distraught.
Although not confirmed it is thought an ASDA will be replacing the store.
Booths has now begun a consultation process with a view to transfer the property lease to ASDA.
“I feel terribly sad about this. I worked for Booths Hale Barns from the very beginning.
“I met some wonderful colleagues and customers and the management were brilliant.
“Unfortunately I had to retire due to ill health. It is such a shame to see Booths depart Hale Barns. I wish all my former colleagues all the very best,” wrote one.
Another added: “Devastated to hear this news, Booths is a fantastic store on our door step, I use regularly and a loyal customer.”
A third offered: “Gutted! Asda are not the right company to take this site over and I don’t expect them to do any better with footfall, in fact I would expect it to be less.”
The store is not “profitable under the Booths model” because of the “challenges of significantly increasing operating costs”, a Booths spokesman said.
They added: “It is anticipated that all jobs will be protected and transferred to ASDA.
“Closing any store is a very difficult decision and it is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team at Hale Barns, or across the wider Booths business.
“Booths would like to thank all colleagues and customers for their support since the store opened over 8 years ago.
“We would also like to provide some reassurance that we have no plans to exit any of our other stores.”
“We would also like to provide some reassurance that we have no plans to exit any of our other stores.”
No closing date has been confirmed yet by Booths, although Altrincham Today understands it could be as soon as April.
It comes as Morrisons is attempting to win back shoppers from the German discounters by matching prices on over 200 products.
From Monday, the items will be marked on shelves as either the same price or lower as Lidl and Aldi.
It comes after Asda also took a similar step recently, becoming the first chain to vow to match both of the discount supermarkets.
Other retail giants, such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, offer a singular Aldi promise.
Morrisons‘ price match promise will be checked against the rivals twice a week.
