Calne Mayor Robert Merrick has accused supermarket chains of leaving a generation behind following the announcement that the town's Co-op store is to shut in April.

News of the closure, revealed by a notice on the door, was met with dismay by shoppers this week.

Cllr Merrick said: “Calne has an above average ageing population and it seems these big stores don’t value loyalty anymore. Profit seems to be more important. Instead of standing by what Head office wants to sell, look at what the locals want to buy. What’s happened to localism?”

“It’s really sad to see another big store closing. A lot of these big companies seem to opt for selling online these days and are leaving a generation behind, who don’t use the internet, in doing so.”

He added: “By losing shops from our high streets, we are breaking down society and the socialising aspect of work life balance. Too many people nowadays sit in front of a screen and order their goods online. We have huge issues with the environment now and having goods delivered to individual addresses has its own detrimental impact.”

He added: “The loss of the Co-op, is of course, another loss to jobs in the area, as to lose another employer is not a good thing for the community.”

Calne local James Gray, 29 said: “It’s a real surprise and I’m really sad to hear this news. Hopefully it’s not going to be replaced by more charity shops or fast food takeaways or cafes, as we have so many of them.”

“The town needs to have something that is for the community, more for young people to do. Perhaps a creche where parents can feel safe to leave their children as they work.”

He added: “The fact it is on the South side of Calne means it’s more convenient for people who live over that way.”

Svetlana Close, 47, also of Calne said: “It will mean more traffic in the centre as people will need to cross town to get to the other supermarket. I feel this will add to people being driven away from Calne. It’s really sad.”

Jan Haskins, 66, also from Calne, said: “I’m not surprised. It’s probably very underused and too be honest it can be quite expensive. I feel really sorry for the staff there who are going to be losing their jobs.”

Pete Haskins, 67, said: “We’ve lived here for 38 years and seen many changes. The shop itself is very dated and has no atmosphere to welcome shoppers in.”

Vivienne Easden from Calne, said: “A real shame to see another shop disappearing from Calne. It’s a real shock to me and I’m sure it will be to many others. I do a big shop there every week and so it will be a big change for me.”

In a statement the Co-op said: “The Co-op is growing and, moving forward with momentum, and while this usually involves the opening of new stores, we also have to take difficult decisions. A decision has been taken to close our Mill Street, Calne, store. It is in no way a reflection on the hard work and commitment of colleagues, who have been informed. Every effort will be made to find alternative positions in the area for those affected. We would like to thank the community for its support for this store over the years.”