A COMMUNITY in Poole is to lose its supermarket, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The Somerfield store in Adastral Road, Canford Heath, will close at the end of November, with 23 staff facing an uncertain future.

Businesses and residents were shocked to hear the news, which has not been publicised at the store.

It is understood that staff – seven full time and 16 part-time – were told last week. The Co-operative, which owns Somerfield, said “every effort” would be made to re-deploy the workers or help them find new jobs.

The move will leave locals, including many elderly people, facing a car, bus or taxi trip to stores further afield, like Asda.

One shopper, Sue Gibson, said: “I think to lose it in the heart of a community like Canford Heath makes people rely more on transport and a lot of people around here haven’t got cars. We’re losing all these small local places.”

Businesses nearby also fear that the closure will mean fewer people visiting the shopping arcade.

Paul Brickhill, who runs nearby Ocean Fish Bar, said: “The staff are losing their jobs as well. There’s been no explanation.

“That’s the main shop here, people use it every day. People will have to go to Asda at the bottom but not everyone has a vehicle.

“It’s going to kick us in the head.”

A spokesman for The Co-operative Group confirmed the November 30 closure.

“Staff at the store have been informed of the decision, which has been taken with the greatest reluctance.

“The closure is due to the store’s poor trading performance and is not, in any way, a reflection on the commitment and hard work of the store team.

“Every effort will be made to re-deploy as many as possible of the seven full-time and 16 part-time staff with The Co-operative, or to help them find alternative employment.

“The Co-operative is committed to community retailing in the area, and it offers modern shopping facilities and comprehensive ranges in our nearby stores.”