The Co-op branch on Charlton Road is set to close in the midst of lockdown, the Advertiser can confirm.

The branch, which is owned by Southern Co-op, will be shutting on Wednesday, November 25 after the terms of a new lease could not be confirmed.

No employees will lose their jobs, and will be relocated to nearby stores.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Closing a store is always an extremely difficult decision and we are particularly saddened to be doing this at a time when our communities and the wider world are facing such unprecedented challenges.

“Southern Co-op entered into negotiations with the landlord of its store in Charlton Road back in August as the current lease is coming to an end and the rent was not commercially sustainable.

“Despite our efforts to avoid this situation and negotiate a new lease agreement, we have no other option but to close the Andover store on 25 November.

“Customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby store in East Anton Farm Road under two miles away and all of our colleagues have accepted roles at our nearby stores.”

Simon Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer for Retail at Southern Co-op, said: “We had very much hoped that we would be able to continue to trading from Charlton Road but the existing lease terms were not viable.

“The decision does not in any way reflect negatively on the hard work and commitment of our colleagues in our retail store.”

Southern Co-op is one of a number of regional and independent co-operative societies which all use the same brand. It has been in existence for nearly 150 years.