Tesco closure greeted with dismay

As councillors launched a bid to bring a new tenant to the High Street unit, staff, shoppers and traders were reeling from the news that the trouble-hit supermarket giant was wielding the axe.

It is thought up to 2,000 staff across the country will be affected by the closure of 43 stores, with the Mexborough branch expected to shut on April 4.

Mexborough councillor Sue Phillips said the news could be “disastrous” for the town.

She said: “I was officially informed this morning by Tesco's, that their Mexborough store will close on April 4.

“On receiving this news Cllr Tracey Leyland Jepson and I immediately contacted Scott Cardwell, Assistant Director for Development at Doncaster Council.

“We instructed Scott to put out feelers for potential tenants to take over this store as a matter of urgency.

“The loss of Tesco could be disastrous for our town centre and we will do everything in our power to bring new business in.”

As the full closure list was revealed last Wednesday, chief executive Dave Lewis said: “The decision to close the stores has been exceptionally difficult to take. I recognise it will affect many hard working colleagues, our customers and local communities.

“Our priority is to explain what this announcement means for our colleagues and wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with Tesco.

“We will continue to serve our customers through other local stores and our dotcom service.”