Sadness and questions over closure of Bury St Edmunds Co-op Food supermarket in Mildenhall Road
A councillor has called for the site of a soon-to-be shut Bury St Edmunds supermarket to be used for a public benefit – as residents expressed their sadness at its closure.
County Cllr David Nettleon raised questions about the future of the site of the Co-operative Food, in Mildenhall Road, which is due to shut on August 19 after the expiry of its lease.
Meanwhile, attention has been drawn to an approved planning application for a Co-op on the nearby Marham Park estate, which never opened.
Cllr Nettleton, who represents the Tower division, said it was a valuable area along a key gateway into the town.
“I would rather see it being used for a public benefit rather than a private one,” he said.
Cllr Nettleton added that he felt the store had been struggling due to greater competition in the town following the opening of Asda and Aldi.
However, residents on social media expressed their regret over the loss of Co-op with dozens of comments on the Bury Free Press Facebook page.
Stephanie Holland said: “Totally gutted. We use it very regularly and the staff are brilliant. Really sad for them and for all the local residents.”
Adrian White said: “What a shame I use it a lot, it’s very convenient on my drive home. Always easy to park, I’ll miss it. Been going there since I was a small child. Flats overlooking the river will be built no doubt.”
Helen Openshaw said: “I use this shop quite a lot. The staff are all so kind and friendly. It will be very much missed.”
Jenny Foster said: “Such a shame - the staff are so nice and helpful. I hope they will all be looked after.”
Rachel Brown said: “Oh nooooo, this is my favourite local shop to use. Easy to park, almost never any queues at tills and lovely bakery section.”
Deborah Gibbs said: “What a shame I worked there in the 70s when it was Key Markets, then in the 80s when it was Gateway's.”
Another questioned why a proposed Co-op on the nearby Marham Park estate had never materialised.
Plans for a Co-op, with five two bedroom apartments above, were approved in September 2021 as part of a reserved matters application, from FPC (Marham) LTD – Sheppard Developments, for a local centre on the estate.
A design and access statement said the store would employ 15 to 20 staff with three being full time employees.
It added that the proposals were designed in accordance with the requirements of a development plan and its policies as well as the masterplan for Marham Park. It would have also fulfilled the requirements set out within the granted outline planning permission.
However, the shop has never opened.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for Co-op said: “Like all retailers, Co-op regularly reviews all of its sites and decisions regarding any store are only taken after careful consideration.
“Our store in Mildenhall Road will cease trading on 19 August, which follows the expiry of its lease.
“Colleagues have been informed, and are being fully supported and, we would like to thank the community for its support of this store over the years.”
A Co-op spokesman said the company would have leased the completed building and would not have had any involvement/control over the construction as it does not own the site.
A West Suffolk Council spokesman said as the local planning authority, it secured the land use for retail, employment and non-residential institutions through outline planning permission and required the developer then market it.
He said the marketing was carried out and a reserved matters application was submitted by Sheppard Developments for a retail unit with flats.
The spokesman added that the permission has until September this year to start work.
After that time, a new reserved matters will be required. However, the requirement for a local centre, with some kind of retail, employment or non-residential institutions use, will remain.
