A TOWN centre supermarket is to close its doors for the final time next month.

After years of speculation, plans have been announced to shut the Kwik Save store, near to the bus station, following an "extensive business review".

The decision was announced to staff on Saturday (Feb 14) by owners, Somerfield Property Company. The store was opened 30 years ago.

Arrangements are now being made to relocate the 18 members of staff to other branches or with alternative retailers in the area.

Kwik Save spokesman Keren Cooksey said: "After an extensive business review, it has been decided that the Kwik Save store will close on March 26.

"This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. We are already looking to move staff to other Kwik Save and Somerfield stores around the area, and if we cannot accommodate them, we will talking to other retailers.

"We are quite hopeful, however, that we will be able to make arrangements for our staff."

In 1997, the store, a former Odeon cinema, submitted plans to redevelop the supermarket, along with the creation of a car park for 74 vehicles.

But two years later, following a merger with the Kwik Save chain, Somerfield abandoned the scheme, saying that the town "just wasn't rich enough".

And bosses assured staff and shoppers that the store was not facing closure following the merger of the two well-known high street chains.

Councillor Barry Briggs, chairman of the Radcliffe Area Board, said: "I feel sorry for the staff who could lose their jobs following this closure, but this has been coming for years.

"Although there will be short term difficulties, I think it will provide longer term opportunities for the development of the site."

Asda in Pilkington Way, Radcliffe, has been blamed in the past, by Somerfield, for the demise of Kwik Save in the town. The company said that the supermarket could not compete with the larger store in terms of accessibility and car parking numbers.