A family-run supermarket which has been at the heart of Westbury for 24 years will close its doors for the last time today.

Coopers in Edward Street was bought by supermarket giant Morrisons in February and is to re-open in October following a major refit.

The closure comes in a momentous week for Westbury as the Lafarge cement works was mothballed.

All 70 members of staff at Coopers have kept their jobs and will receive training at the chain’s Devizes branch while the work is being completed. The buyout also means the prospect of more jobs for the town, but workers are sad that they will no longer be working for an independent trader.

Store manager Hazel Griggs, 45, of Eden Vale Road, Westbury, has been there for 13 years.

“It’s a shame that Coopers is leaving the town. You don’t get many independent supermarkets any more so it will be sad when the change comes,” she said.

Gareth Wellbelove, 29, who has been assistant manager at the store for a year, will become administration manager. He said: “I think this move is going to be good for Westbury because it’s a bigger company, which will bring more job prospects.”

Veronica Sheppard, 65, from The Butts, who has worked as a shelf stacker, checkout assistant and checkout supervisor during her 16 years with Coopers, said: “Coopers is a nice family firm and it’s a friendly place so I’m sad we’ve lost our local identity.

“Customers come from as far as Devizes just because we offer products others don’t. I expect Morrisons will have a different product range. I don’t know how their prices will compare because I’ve only ever shopped in Coopers.”

Barbara Webber, of Eden Vale Road, is staying on as produce manager.

“I will miss all our local suppliers like Paul King from Bromham,” she said “Coopers is a local independent shop and it’s very sad indeed to see it go. Everyone here is like a family.

“I expect there will be more training and more structure under Morrisons.”

The closure leaves Westbury without a town centre post office, after no-one came forward to run the planned temporary replacement.

Customers are being advised to use post office branches in The Ham, Bratton and Dilton Marsh.

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