A major UK supermarket chain has closed another store just weeks after announcing expansion plans. The Co-op store first opened in Minehead 42 years ago and has now shut its doors for the last time.
Store Closure Details
The high street shop, based in Somerset since 1984, was located on The Avenue on the site of the bus station. The closure comes after the chain announced plans to expand in 2026, growing both the retail and funeral services sectors of the brand.
A spokesperson for Co-op told the Somerset County Gazette: “Co-op remains committed to serving the Minehead community through our Alcombe Road store, however we have made the difficult decision to close our store on The Avenue, following the refusal of a planning application to redevelop the site to include a purpose-built and sustainable new Co-op store. Our priority is to fully support The Avenue store colleagues, and we would like to thank the community for its continued support for the Co-op in the town.”
Loss of Post Office
As the store closed, the town has also lost its only remaining Post Office. The store served customers for the last time on June 13, with the Post Office closing four days prior. There were hopes that a Post Office would open on Summerland Avenue as a replacement, but the planning application was rejected. The closest Post Office branch is now based in Dunster, around three miles away.
Locals branded this as 'devastating' with a Post Office statement confirming that a temporary solution is in the works. The spokesperson said: “We are working hard to restore service to the community as soon as possible. I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum.”
