Co-op to close 10 stores

The largest consumer co-operative group in the UK announced the closure of 10 department stores today as part of plans to get out of the loss-making sector.

The Co-operative Group hopes to sell its remaining 26 stores after a review found it would be better off focusing on its core businesses.

Manchester-based Co-op said the closure of the 10 stores in February - including seven in Scotland – would result in the loss of 71 full-time jobs and 70 part-time positions.

The remaining 26 shops, which employ 491 full-time staff and 379 part-timers, will be sold or closed if they are not bought by February 2007.

The Co-op said the Anglia Regional Co-operative Society – already a major department store operator – wanted to acquire a number of the sites.