THE Tesco Metro store in Runcorn Shopping Centre is set to close, the company has announced today.

It is one of 43 stores named by the supermarket giant as being unprofitable.

The Forest Walk store in due to close on April 4, putting 110 jobs at risk.

It will leave the shopping centre without a supermarket and post office, which is inside the store.

Halton Council Leader Cllr Rob Polhill said today’s announcement is ‘devastating news’ for Runcorn, especially the 110 members of staff at the store. 

Cllr Polhill immediately contacted Tesco to arrange for himself and the council’s chief executive, David Parr, to meet with the company as a matter of urgency to discuss the decision. 

“This morning’s announcement was the first we had heard of the plans to close Runcorn.

“Tesco have not spoken to the council or the owners of Runcorn Shopping Centre about this, so we have had no opportunity to try and influence their decision. 

“They clearly do not understand the geography and the needs of Runcorn people by suggesting that shoppers use Tesco’s Widnes and Penketh stores instead, and we will be challenging these assumptions. 

“The closure is part of their national programme of closures and it will be difficult to get them to overturn their decision, but we will do everything we can to convince them that it is a misguided decision. 

“If it goes ahead we will do all we can to support the 110 employees to find new jobs.” 

 A spokesman for F&C REIT Asset Management, owners of Runcorn Shopping Centre, said: “It is unfortunate that Runcorn is amongst the 43 store closures announced today, especially after Tesco had recently explored the possibility of expanding its presence at the centre.

“The supermarket’s decision to close its doors will open up opportunities for other retailers within the centre.

“We will continue to serve the community of Runcorn as we have done for the last 40 years.

“The centre remains an attractive proposition for retailers and we will now begin discussions with parties interested in taking over the space.

“We are currently exploring how we can relocate the Post Office, which we plan to keep within the centre.”