CO-OP branches in Leigh and Atherton are being taken over by a rival company after the retail giant agreed to sell around 300 of its smaller food stores.
The stores snapped up by McColl’s Retail Group include those at The Centre in Higher Fold and on Manchester Road in Leigh and at Gadbury Fold in Atherton.
The Co-operative Group says the stores will continue to trade immediately after the handover, which is expected to take place in November, and all staff at the branches will transfer to McColl’s.
Steve Murrells, CEO of Co-op Food, said: “The Co-op Food business continues to move forward with a clear momentum and purpose to deliver a compelling and convenient shopping experience for our millions of customers and members.
“The announcement is completely in line with our strategy, as these stores did not allow us to provide a sufficiently compelling own-brand offer for our members going forwards.
“The proceeds will be reinvested to drive sustainable growth for our members and I am delighted that all 3,808 colleagues will transfer to McColl’s on the same terms and conditions.”
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