Morrisons Confirms West 12 Centre Store to Close

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'Devastating' news with loss of 170 jobs first revealed on Twitter

Morrisons supermarket in the West 12 Shopping Centre on Shepherd's Bush Green has admitted it is planning to close, after being questioned on Twitter by local residents and MP Andy Slaughter.

The closure will be a major blow for Shepherd's Bush with the loss of 170 local jobs and a much valued local amenity.

The supermarket made an official announcement following this tweet from MP Andy Slaughter @hammersmithandy: " Terrible news for #ShepherdsBush as local @Morrisons in @West12Shopping set to close with loss of 170 jobs."

Following this tweet, the store at first denied on its Twitter account that it was planning to close but then under questioning by local residents, admitted that it had made the decision "with a heavy heart" as the store was not viable.

Today, Thursday September 22, a spokeswoman confirmed: " We regret to say that we are proposing to close our store in Shepherd’s Bush.

"We have looked at a whole range of options to make the store viable but none gave us confidence that we could run it successfully. We will now be going through a consultation process with colleagues."

The store did not give a timetable for closing but one local resident tweeted that staff had been told to expect it around Christmas.

This morning, Andy Slaughter responded: " This is terrible news for the W12 area and to the 170 staff who work in the store.

"Having weathered the opening of the nearby Westfield and having shown continued demand for a large retail supermarket on site, it is devastating to hear that this store could close.

"I am not only concerned for the welfare of the members of staff but also the local customers, many of whom are older and will find it hard to travel to the Tesco in Brook Green.

"I am also worried about the future of the West 12 centre; Morrisons is the anchor store for this shopping centre, and this will be very bad news for the other, smaller businesses based here.

"Along with local councillors, I will be seeking a meeting with Morrisons to see what can be done to save the store or to attract a similar, large retailer to the West 12 centre."

Cllr Adam Connell also tweeted his concerns @apaconnell: "Deeply worrying news from @Morrisons in the W12 Centre. Morrisons is an important asset in the community.#ShepherdsBush."

September 22, 2016