STUNNED staff at an Oswaldtwistle store have been told they could be out of a job in less than two weeks.

And furious councillors have asked the owners of the Late Shop in Union Road to reverse the decision which would see 17 workers axed.

The two full time and 15 part time employees have been told the shop will cease trading on Saturday, January 23.

Stoke-based parent company United Norwest Co-operatives Ltd are blaming the looming closure on a fall in profits at the convenience store.

The shock announcement came as United Norwest chiefs announced a £25,000 revamp for their Co-op Food Market, which is also in Union Road.

The company has also launched a bid to build another supermarket in Bacup and work is set to begin on a further store in Ramsbottom. Staff, who have been asked not to comment about the closure, could be transferred to different branches in the shake-up.

A spokesman said: "The Late Shop has been trading unprofitably for some time. Despite the best efforts of the staff and management, we see no way of reversing this position.

"The shop will go on the market, but between now and the time it closes, we will be doing all in our power to find alternative employment for the staff affected by the decision."

But Oswaldtwistle councillors Peter Britcliffe and Brian Walmsley have written to the company, asking bosses to think again.

Coun Britcliffe said: "It's a bombshell for the staff and a body blow for the economy of Union Road. We appreciate they have another store, but that is at the top end of town and elderly people would have to climb a hill to buy their everyday needs.

"The shop is a lifeline for many elderly people living in the area and we have written to the company asking them to reconsider."

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