COUNCILLORS in Carlisle have written of the social importance of mini-supermarkets - which they say often sit at the 'heart' of communities - amid the rescue of the McColl's chain.

Last week, administrators were called in at McColl’s after the convenience store chain’s rescue bid was rejected by the banks.

With no other option left on the table, McColl’s bosses made the decision to put the company - which employs 16,000 people - into administration “to protect creditors, preserve the future of the business and to protect the interests of employees.”

But on Monday, it was reported by Sky News that Morrisons, which had been among the company's major creditors, had bought the business and its assets.

Administrators from PwC said in a statement: "The deal successfully transfers all 16,000 staff, 1,100 shops across the UK and also includes Morrisons agreeing to rescue the group's two pension schemes which have more than 2,000 members."

'An integral part of these communities'

Carlisle councillor Les Tickner had said that the potential closure of Carlisle’s two McColl's stores had been 'a bit of a shock' and that the potential closure of the Blackwell Road store and that of Shadygrove Road in his ward of Newtown would have had 'a major impact on the local residents.'

In his letter, Cllr Tickner, alongside fellow ward councillors Lucy Patrick, Colin Glover, Chris Wills and Mayor of Carlisle Pam Birks, said: “These stores are an integral part of these communities providing essential food and household necessities as well as vital post office services.

“They are also a friendly meeting place for residents. The managers and staff are part of the community and McColl's support vulnerable residents by providing free food parcels through the local community hubs.”

He said that the stores on Shadygrove Road and Blackwell Road are the only mini-supermarkets “in the heart of these communities.”

“Communities where car ownership is low, meaning a shopping facility and postal facility in walking distance in vital.

“With the increasing cost of running a car it is even more important that people can shop locally.”

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