Staff from Chard's Co-op pay tribute to Fore Street store after closure

Marie Mountstevens had worked at the Fore Street supermarket for eight years before the closure earlier this month.

Co-operative Food had been in the town for more than 80 years, although in different locations and under different ownership.

Staff marked the end of the the shop’s stay in the town by donating £890 to the Chard and Ilminster First Responders.

Mrs Mountstevens said: “That was our last fundraiser for the year.

“We did a raffle, a cake sale and had a Christmas hamper that we used to raise money at the end of last year.

“We chose the First Responders because we have done things for them before, and we decided as it was our last fundraiser we wanted to make sure the money raised was going to a local cause.”

The News revealed in November that the Co-op was going to be closing for good, and the shop finally shut on February 4.

Mrs Mountstevens added: “I will miss all the people. It is not just the colleagues, it is seeing people every day.

“We have watched some customers growing up so it will be sad not to experience that anymore.

“There have been a number of families that have worked here together. We have a mother and two daughters, uncles, cousins, all together.

“We all feel so close together. There is a lady here who had been here 36 years. It is heartbreaking.

“Every day was a highlight, just going to work. I loved coming into work. It is going to be hard getting up and knowing I am not going into the Co-op.”

When the store’s closure was announced, residents of the town flocked to express their sadness.

Rodney Ball, a resident of Chard, said: “I express upon behalf of Chard residents a regret at the imminent departure of the Co-op store and thank all Co-op store staff for the loyal service provided in the past.”

When the store’s closure was announced, Cllr Dave Bulmer, mayor of Chard, said: “This is very sad news because it is one of the larger footprint stores in the town.”