A town centre supermarket is set to close in Bicester with the loss of 41 workers.

Staff at the Somerfield store in Market Square, were told last week the shop would close for good on Saturday, November 19.

And on Saturday, ski wear and equipment shop Beans, also in Sheep Street, will close its doors for the last time just months after celebrating its 30th year trading in Bicester.

In a meeting, Somerfields full and part-time staff were told the decision was because of poor trading.

The store was taken over by the Co-op in March 2009, when it bought the Somerfield chain for £1.6bn.

A Co-op spokesman said: “The decision has been taken with the greatest reluctance and is due to the store’s poor trading performance.

“It is not, in any way, a reflection on the commitment and hard work of the store team.

“Every effort is being made to redeploy as many as possible of the seven full-time and 34 part-time members of staff with the Co-operative, or to help them find alternative employment.”

One long-term staff member, who did not want to be named, said workers were “gutted”.

The worker said: “After we were told it was closing I felt really bad.

“We are completely gutted. A lot of them are still in a daze.”

The chain has three smaller stores across Bicester, in Bucknell Road, Barberry Place and Buckingham Road.

Somerfield has been part of Bicester town centre for about 20 years and the site was previously home to supermarket Keymarkets.

Cherwell District Council’s lead member for economic development Norman Bolster called the closure a “blow” to staff and customers.

He said: “The tough trading climate is affecting all businesses, even more so retailers.

“Our priority at this time is to help those people directly impacted by the closure of the business and to offer them support through our Job Clubs.”

Beans owner Maureen Bean, who ran the store with husband Chris, said Mr Bean had been ill and the couple decided it was time to put their feet up. She said: “We have decided its time for us to retire, and the economic climate is such it is time to stop. “It is very sad and we know we have got a lot of loyal customers.

“We have been very touched by all the people who have come into the shop.”

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk The next Bicester job club for people looking for work is at the Methodist Church Hall, Sheep Street, on Friday, October 21, between 11am and 1pm.