Major supermarket with 2,500 UK stores closes branch for good | UK | News

A UK supermarket giant has been forced to close another store just weeks after announcing expansion plans. First opened on the former site of the Minehead Bus Station in 1984, the Co-Op store in The Avenue, Minehead, Somerset, has now closed its doors for good, in another blow to the high street.

This follows recent news that the supermarket chain aims to expand its retail services in 2026. While The Co-op provided a great spot for locals to pick up food and home bits, it was also an essential hub for mailing needs. The Post Office will also shut as part of the Co-op closure, despite being the only one located in the area.

A statement issued by the Post Office reads: “We are working hard to restore service to the community as soon as possible.”

It added: “I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum.”

The Post Office branch closed on Tuesday, June 9, with the Co Op shop closing on June 13.

A spokesperson told the West Somerset Free Press that the closure was due to a failed planning application.

Minehead and Tiverton MP Rachel Gilmour previously cited the closures as “devastating”. People on social media described the decision as “so sad” and “such a shame”.

The nearest Co-Op to Minehead will now be found in Alcombe, just over a mile away.

If the deal to expand is approved, hundreds of new food and funeral shops are expected to open nationwide.