Barnard Castle Co-op set to change hands after 164 years

Barnard Castle’s Co-op is to be sold after 164 years – with the store set to reopen under new ownership next month.

Shoppers were shocked to learn this week that the company’s store on Horse Market will “cease trading” on Saturday, November 14.

The premises will then be occupied by an independent Merseyside-based business called Stanley Wines Ltd, which runs several mini-supermarkets in the North-west.

Co-op Group confirmed all current members of staff, who were told about the change of ownership last week, have been offered jobs to work in the store for the new owners.

Confirming the news, a spokesman for Co-op Group told the Mercury: “Following careful consideration, a decision has been taken to sell our Barnard Castle store.

“While we are sorry to be leaving the community we are pleased to confirm that the store will continue trading under a new retailer, with colleagues transferring to the new operator – helping to safeguard local jobs.”

Asked why the company was selling a store which had served the town since 1862, the spokesman said Co-op regularly reviewed its estate and that the decision had been made “against a background of a focus on sustainable growth”.

Teesdale still has Co-op stores in Middleton and Cockfield.

According to local historian Alan Wilkinson’s Barnard Castle – Historic Market Town book, published in 1998, “…a Co-op was established in the town, first at a private house, then in a small shop in Bridgegate.

“In 1878 it was able to buy premises on both sides of the narrow street.”

Stanley Wines Barnard Castle Ltd was registered by Companies House on September 26.

The Mercury has contacted Stanley Wines Ltd for details of its plans for the store but had received no response by the time of going to press.

The firm doesn’t have a website or social media presence.

One issue to be resolved is the future of the ATM/cash dispenser that’s situated in the Co-op and is currently accessible seven days a week from 7am-10pm.

As things stand, it’s one of only two cash machines accessible in the town outside standard shopping hours – the other being in Morrisons – and the only one available on a Sunday evening up to 10pm.