SUPERMARKET bosses have said no staff will lose their jobs when it closes a branch in West Oxfordshire in the next three months.

The Co-operative store in Black Bourton Road, Carterton, is expected to be sold by October, with a new Asda store opening in its place.

Holly Johnson, a spokesperson for the Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We are selling our Co-operative Food store in Black Bourton Road to Asda.

“As part of the agreement, all of our colleagues will have continuity of employment and transfer to Asda.”

According to Ms Johnson, the company will keep its Co-operative Food store in Centrum Square open and the Co-operative Travel store, currently in the supermarket, will relocate to the High Street.

It is unclear what will happen to the Post Office that is currently also in the store.

Asda spokesman Doug Wilson said: “We are pleased to confirm our plans to purchase the current Co-operative Food store in Carterton.

“We look forward to serving residents in Carterton in the near future.”

Mayor of Carterton, Lynn Little said: “While it will be sad to see the Co-op go, we as a town are on the cusp of regeneration and new life, in terms of business, can only be a good thing for the success of the town.

“In the next five years, we want to encourage people to come to the town and new shops like Asda will really help with that.”

Ms Little said the success of independent shops in the area and the preservation of the in-store post office were her main concerns.

She said: “It’s very important that Asda works alongside the independent shops to ensure their success in the area.

“When it comes to the post-office, it is imperative that it stays on site.”

Sheila Tapster, Post Office spokeswoman, said: “Asda is keen to retain the Post Office. We are now working with ASDA to provide continuity of service for Carterton Post Office.

ASDA currently operate 22 main Post Offices across the UK.”