Chase Co-op to close within days

Nottingham East MP Chris Leslie spoke out today after the Co-op store, in Robin Hood Chase, St Ann’s, said it was going to close on 17th November.

The Coop Closed on Thursday 15th November

He said: “This is a part of Nottingham with low car ownership and only a few bus links, which means that the walk to the shops for many local people will be very considerable – something especially difficult for the elderly or vulnerable.

“I will be contacting the chief executive of the Co-op to express my concerns and hope that they will reconsider.”

Mr Leslie’s voice joined that of Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins, who has called on the Co-op to reconsider its decision to close.

He said: “I believe the Co-op’s actions are short sighted.

“The new Joint Service Centre, 100 yards from the Co-operative store, is part of a regeneration of the St Ann’s area of Nottingham and I’m confident this hub of services and activities will in time increase footfall to the Robin Hood Chase and support the store.

“We are prepared to help with rent payments and I’d welcome an urgent meeting with Co-op representatives to discuss how we can work together to preserve this facility for local people who badly need it.”

The Robin Hood Chase shopping precinct is to be demolished in phases during 2013, to make way for new social houses, along with a number of commercial units, a cafe and office block that will replace the present Wellspring Health Centre which closed seven months ago.