A Co-op store in Swindon has confirmed that it will close its doors permanently within weeks.

The Midcounties Crossways Co-op store on Cricklade Road is an essential shop for many locals, but the head office has now confirmed it will shut due to the store being "no longer fit with the long-term strategy."

The supermarket will close on April 21 and the site has already been bought by an independent retailer.

According to Co-op Midcounties, all 10 staff members at the Crossways store on Cricklade Road will be offered the opportunity to transfer over to the new operator if they wish to.

"The Midcounties Co-operative Board regularly reviews our property footprint to ensure we’re providing the best opportunity to deliver for our members and support local communities across the Midcounties region," explained a spokesperson for Midcounties Co-op (which is run separately to regular Co-op stores).

"As part of this work, it was identified that the Crossways Store no longer fit with the long-term strategy of the Society and the site was placed on the market.

Swindon Advertiser: The Cricklade Road Co-op has been sold to an independent food retailer.The Cricklade Road Co-op has been sold to an independent food retailer. (Image: Newsquest)

"We have now exchanged on a sale of the site to an independent retailer who will continue to operate a food retail store on the site.

"The site will cease trading as a Your Co-op Food store on 21st April and the new owner is expected to begin trading on the site shortly after that."

Despite the closure, Midcounties Co-op says it has invested more than £7 million into opening 12 new stores over the last two years, including stores at Bradbury Park, Diamond Crescent and Pipers Way.

But several locals have been in touch to express their disappointment at the decision to close the Cricklade Road store.

"I come to the Co-op because it is the only place that I can top up my electricity card in-store," one local shopper told the Adver.

"I can't do that over in Tesco so I don't know what I'm going to do if the Co-op closes."

Another shopper who lives in the Clive Parade area added: "I've lived here for 24 years and the Co-op has always been there for as long as I can remember. Lots of people use it and will definitely miss it once it's gone."