Disappointment as Sainsbury’s Northgate Street store set to close at the end of January

Liberal Democrat campaigners' Dr Rebecca Trimnell and Councillor Jeremy Hilton have been told by Sainsbury's that their Northgate Street store is set to close on January 30.

The news comes after a petition of nearly 700 signatures was raised opposing the stores closure after 50 years of trading.

Councillor Hilton said: "This is very disappointing news. Loads of people living in Kingsholm and the city centre enjoyed shopping here. I remember working at the store as a teenager when it first opened and I have been a regular customer ever since."

Dr Rebecca Trimnell confirmed that both she and Councillor Hilton met a senior representative Sainsbury to lobby on behalf of the petitioners.

"We did have a constructive meeting with Sainsbury's and some of our suggestions were considered further, but back in December we received confirmation that sadly the store will close," Dr Trimnell said.

"This week they have told us the store is mostly likely to close on January 30. It really does feel like the end of an era."

Councillor Hilton sent all the online petitioners a copy of Sainsbury's letter. He has received replies back thanking him and Rebecca for trying their best.

He added: "We are in communication with Mountcharm Group the owners of the building to keep abreast of their plans to repurpose the building. We want to see a good quality grocery store as next tenants trading off the Northgate Street frontage. We understand the first floor will become apartments."