FAMILIES and businesses in Chard are distraught after it was announced the town’s “essential” Co-op store will close next year.

The News revealed last week that the Fore Street store is set to close on February 4, 2017.

Now residents, businesses and councillors have paid tribute to the store.

Betty Fitzpatrick has been using the Co-op for more than 80 years.

She said: “We as a family were very disappointed to read that the Co-op will be closing.

“I have been going there since I was just four and I am 87 now.

“My mother and grandmother were members before I was born.

“A family shop like the Co-op has been essential in the town for all these years.

“My sister went there to work when she was 14. I bought my son’s pram from there.

“He is nearly retired now and he calls into the Co-op every time he comes through the town.

“It has been in the town for so long that just putting another supermarket there won’t be the same.

“I cannot see that anything else will do. I think it is a great shame.

“It was so local and so essential to the town.”

Les Gilbert, owner of Chard BookShop and Chard Newsagents, said: “Quite apart from the impact on staff and a core of loyal customers there will be an impact on the town.

“I have been saying for some time that we collectively need to consider what would make Chard more attractive to shoppers and businesses and take action.

“This needs to be led by town, district and county councils.

“We don’t as a town need any additional provision for supermarkets. In my opinion the plan to see the development of the Lace Mill for supermarket retail is dead in the water, at least for now. It’s just not needed.

“We need to see the Co-op unit filled and as soon as is possible. There are a number of retail candidates, most of whom would bring something good to the town.

“The worst case scenario of course is an empty unit – one that I don’t want to think about.

“As a small business we remain flexible, able to adapt to change and have confidence in our future in Chard as a result.”

Chard town councillor Amanda Broom said: “The Co-op has been an integral part of Chard’s town centre.

“It’s desperately sad for all staff connected and their families to be in this position.

“This is the loss of another iconic high street shop.

“There are too many empty properties within our town and we must do all we can to ensure that plans are afoot to fill this void.”

Last week, Cllr Dave Bulmer, mayor of Chard, said: “This is very sad news because it is one of the larger footprint stores in the town.

“There is obviously concern about those 20 workers whose livelihoods are going to be affected.”