59 jobs at risk as Co-op stores in Coalville and Wigston face closure

“@karinfall, yes, I agree, I just said that we all ideally want the shops AND to save money, the overheads cost I appreciate. I would gladly pay a small premium to be able to buy in a shop, but often the range of goods is restricted compared to the internet, and the prices are considerably dearer. If I went to buy a TV I wouldn't mind paying an additional £25, but it can be £200 difference! If you think about the small range in somewhere like the Co-op, you would also probably find they didn't have the model you wanted in stock. However, i feel very sorry for the staff and can only imagine in the co-op like so many workplaces before and those to come, the staff must be devasted.”

“Who but the wealthy can afford to replace many home furnishings these days. And the wealthy don't shop in town centres do they.

This reckless austerity which is hammering the unwealthy whilst continuing to push up debt has a lot to answer for.”

“I wonder what will replace it, another charity shop I supose! Thats all the seem to get to fill empty shops on Wigston these days”

“@LaPetomane. But of course goods are more expensive in stores. They have what are known as 'overheads' heating, wages, lighting etc. If you enjoy the shopping experiences (and I do appreciate some don't) then it is worth paying a bit extra. Wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said nowadays we know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Only when we have tumbleweed blowing through our shopping centres will we appreciate what we have lost. You may well save a few pounds but at what cost?”

“Shame, another decent quality store to close, but the honest answer has to be that less and less of us are using these stores and look for cheaper online.

However, another way of looking at it is that many stores ripped us off for years. Years ago you only knew the price of goods locally by walking around comparing stores or newspaper ads. Now over a coffee at home, in seconds you can find a good price at reputable internet retailers and realise that you can save not just pence or a few pounds, but sometimes literally hundreds of pounds and realise that even sale prices at Jessops, the Co op or wherever are still dearer than normal prices at Amazon or wherever. Sad but true.

I feel sorry for the staff and sorry for our villages, towns and cities, but most of us want a wide choice of goods, not just a few items in a store and we want keen prices. Sadly all our towns are looking grey and run down, boarded up shops, charity shops, pound shops and a particular chain that sells hot pasties and sausage rolls for mums that don't know the right way to feed their kids.”

“Of course this is nothing to do with the current economic climate is it?

To suggest that will get all the local Tory supporters excited and posting here.”

“Another nail in the coffin for Coalville ....another empty building along with Woolies, The Pick And Shovel and of course the Tesco scam which the local people could see coming but our elected leaders were led right down the garden path...heads should have rolled as they lost the town 400 badly needed jobs.”

“this is bad news, like karinfall 1955, i couldnt fault the staff. even staying late, on christmas eve to allow collection of a large boxed tv”

“@meme-monroe - the bit you got wrong has since been corrected after I made my orignal post - which said Blaby Road, Wigston and not Bell Street, Wigston which it now says.”

“tom and ben thats what the mercury said.

Midlands Co-op said it planned to shut its fashion and homeware outlets in Bell Street

not sure what bit you think we got wrong”