Ken Skates MS responds to Ruabon McColl’s closure following Morrisons takeover

Local representatives have expressed their disappointment at the news that a popular Ruabon shop will close after Christmas.

McColl’s on High Street, which has the village’s only Post Office counter, is among the company’s 1,164 branches which will be taken over by Morrisons.

But the supermarket giant has identified 132 loss-making stores ‘where there is no realistic prospect of achieving a breakeven position’ and will be shut for good – including Ruabon.

Morrisons said: “We are disappointed to be in a position where the closure of loss-making stores is necessary and will work hard to mitigate the impact on colleagues, customers and the community.”

Ruabon councillor Dana Davies and Member of the Senedd Ken Skates said they were hopeful a like-for-like replacement could be found to fill the void McColl’s will leave.

Cllr Davies said: “Our only local Payzone shop is McColl’s, so prepayment meter customers will be adversely affected. Add to that the loss of the Post Office and possibly our only cashpoint and Ruabon is hit badly by this as many cannot afford travel costs to access these services elsewhere.”

Mr Skates added: “This is extremely disappointing news. I had hoped the Morrisons takeover would be a positive for Ruabon if the crucial services Dana highlights could be accommodated elsewhere in the village, but to lose McColl’s and everything it offers would be a real blow.”

In a letter to Mr Skates, Morrisons said: “Regrettably, a number of McColl’s stores have been loss-making for some time and, although we believe some of those stores will be able to return to profitability over time, there are 132 stores where there is no realistic prospect of achieving a breakeven position in the medium term.

“Following a detailed review, we have concluded that it is necessary to close these stores in order to safeguard the regeneration of the business. I am sorry to inform you that this includes Ruabon McColl’s store in your constituency.

“As you will know, this store provides Post Office counter services. We recognise the importance of the Post Office to local communities, especially around Christmas, and will delay the closure of this store until the new year to enable them to serve their community through the festive period.

“Our priority now is to support all colleagues who will be placed at risk of redundancy and ensure that everyone affected is offered alternative employment at a nearby McColl’s store, Morrisons store, logistics operation or manufacturing site. This process is getting under way this week.”

Mr Skates added: “Dana and I will be making contact with the Post Office this week to establish what its plans are to relocate counter services within the village.

“We will also work with the company however we can to make sure that all employees affected by this announcement will be found alternative jobs and will be seeking assurances over the future of the only cashpoint in Ruabon. That cannot be lost.”