Upmarket northern supermarket chain Booths is considering closing one of its oldest stores because it "will not be economically viable in the future".

The store, in South Shore, near Blackpool, Lancashire, has been trading for 80 years. According to CACI, Booths already has three stores in Blackpool and a further two stores in Lytham St Annes less than five miles away.

"All 20 staff have been informed and we are in a consultation process with them. Once this has been completed a final decision regarding the store will be made," said retail operations director David Benson.

Booths said it was committed to retaining and redeploying staff at other stores and developing new stores in Lancashire, including a 21,000 sq ft store, which opens next month in Lytham. The new store will be home to Booths' second Artisan restaurant. The first, at the retailer's store in Kendal, has been a hit with shoppers, according to chairman Edwin Booth. Two further stores are also planned to open in Hesketh Bank and Garstang next year.

Meanwhile, the North West Development Agency announced plans to redevelop the Talbot Gateway area of Blackpool last month. The development will include a 70,000 sq ft supermarket. However, as the big four already have stores in the town it is unclear which retailer would be able to take over the site.


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