Residents of Charlton and the surrounding area have reacted to the “dreadful” decision to close the co-operative food store on Charlton Road.

As previously reported, the store, which is owned by Southern Co-op, will be shutting on Wednesday, November 25 after the terms of a new lease could not be agreed.

At the time, a spokesperson for the company said that the rent “was not commercially sustainable,” which residents were not convinced of.

“It’s such a going concern,” said Patricia White. “It’s very much needed here, and it should be kept open as there is the demand for it.”

The 90-year-old continued: “We’re all very, very upset about it. There’s been no regard for customer wishes. It’s a crying shame, and the staff that work there are great.”

She also mentioned that many people visiting the War Memorial Hospital across the road use the shop to buy supplies, something that Teresa Johnson agreed with.

The 66-year-old Charlton resident says that the shop was “in quite a good spot” for her.

“Where I live in the village, we’ve got nothing,” she said. “It’ll be an hour’s walk from where I live now. Otherwise, I’ll be reliant on one bus a day, which only gives you an hour and a half window to shop, and you don’t have time for both, so you have to rely on taxis.”

Teresa said that the shop’s closure would be “a shame,” adding: “It’s all convenient as you have the hospital, chemist and shop all together,” she said.

Concerns over a long walk to nearby shops were also shared by Sue Fern, 50, with the nearest branch of Southern Co-op located in East Anton Farm road, which is two miles, or an over 40 minute walk, away from the Charlton branch.

“I don’t want it to close,” she said. “It’s quite a long trek to the next one. It would be good if they could get another branch close by.”

Once the store closes on November 25, the nearest shops for residents will be the Londis at the local petrol station, or the Tesco Express and Charlton Village Convenience Store in Charlton.