The Co-op store on Salisbury Road in Blandford Forum is due to shut its doors permanently on February 24, ending years of service to the town and surrounding areas. The announcement has prompted disappointment among shoppers and concerns about the future of the high street.
In a statement, Co-op said the decision was taken after careful consideration of ongoing changes in the retail market and rising operating expenses. The company pointed to increased costs linked to energy, wages, and supply chains, as well as shifting customer habits, as key factors influencing its decision. According to the retailer, the closure forms part of a broader strategy to review its store estate and focus on locations that are more sustainable in the long term.
Co-op said it is seeking to adapt to growing competition from large supermarket chains, discount retailers and online shopping platforms.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We continually review our stores to ensure we are operating in the most effective way possible. The closure of the Blandford Forum branch is part of this process and is not a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our colleagues at this location.”
The closure comes amid wider challenges facing the UK retail sector, with many companies reassessing their physical presence as consumer behaviour shifts towards online shopping and home delivery.
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Rising business rates, staffing costs and energy bills have also placed significant pressure on brick-and-mortar stores, leading to a series of closures across the country.
Co-op said it will work with staff affected by the closure to explore redeployment opportunities within the business where possible. Further details about the future of the Salisbury Road site have not yet been announced.
For many in Blandford Forum, the closure marks another chapter in the ongoing transformation of the high street, as traditional retailers struggle to balance community presence with commercial realities.
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