THE Co-op is to close and B&M Bargains is coming to Maryport.

A spokeswoman for the Co-op confirmed that it will close on September 15 after months of rumour following the opening of the large Lidl supermarket next door.

It was announced this week that the store had been bought by B&M Bargains.

Staff at the Co-op have been guaranteed jobs with B&M.

B&M confirmed it was coming to town but has not yet set an opening date.

A spokeswoman said: “We are pleased to announce that we are taking over the Co-op store in Maryport and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

“We’re looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming them new customers through the door later this year.”

A spokesperson for the Co-op said: “The Co-op is moving forward with a real purpose and momentum and, while this often involves the opening of new stores, we sometimes have to take difficult decisions. We can confirm that our Maryport store on Curzon Street is transferring to B&M, with the last day of trading being the 15th September. The very difficult decision to close the store has been made as part of our ongoing review process and is in no way a reflection on the hard work of colleagues, who will TUPE transfer to the new operator - which is an important consideration for us. We would also like to thank the community for its valued support.”

Maryport councillor Angela Kendall said it was sad to see the Co-op go but she was delighted that a new business would replace it.

B&M Bargains is one of the fastest growing variety stores in the UK with 28,000 employees nationwide.

It sells everything from garden furniture to groceries.

Objections have been lodged to a plan to build a B&M store on Low Road behind the Lakes Homecentre in Cockermouth because it would take trade out of the town centre.