THE Co-op is to pull out of Ludlow Town Centre but it is understood that no jobs will be lost as Budgens is taking over the store.

It follows the announcement of the sale of 36 former Somerfield sites by the Co-operative, including Upper Galdeford in Ludlow.

The Upper Galdeford Co-op food store is one of 36 stores the Co-op has agreed to sell to The Food Retailer Group, part of retail investor Hilco.

They are expected to become Budgens supermarkets, with completion expected to take place in July.

The Co-op has made clear all employees will TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations) transfer to the incoming business, resulting in no planned redundancies, including for the 35 employees currently working in the Upper Galdeford store in Ludlow

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said he was disappointed that The Co-op had chosen to withdraw from Ludlow, but pleased the site would continue to trade as a Budgens supermarket.

“I am disappointed that Co-op have decided to withdraw from their store in Ludlow, but am pleased that a buyer has been found who will continue to trade the store as a Budgens food retailer,” said Philip Dunne.

“It is good to remove uncertainty for staff that there are no planned redundancies for employees.

“While it is good for local residents that the current diversity of food retailers will remain in Ludlow, this move shows that the food retail market in town is already saturated, presumably playing a part in Co-op’s reasons for withdrawal.

“This suggests Ludlow does not need another food supermarket, as a developer has planned on a speculative basis at Rocks Green beyond the A49, with no retailer lined up to occupy.

“The Co-op’s decision reflects the existing competitive challenges town centre traders are facing, which would only be compounded were an out-of-town supermarket retailer to be allowed.”