IPSWICH A grocery chain has confirmed it is closing a town store, with the loss of 19 full and part-time jobs.

The Co-operative Group, based in Manchester, said it was closing its Somerfield store in Carr Street, Ipswich, because of poor trading.

Staff have been told, and they would be trying to re-deploy them within the business, the company said.

A spokesperson for The Co-operative Group, which acquired the Somerfield chain in 2009, said: “The Co-operative Group can confirm that the Somerfield store on Carr Street, Ipswich, is due to close on Wednesday, November 9.

“Staff at the store have been informed of the decision, which has been taken with the greatest reluctance and is due to the store’s poor trading performance. It is not, in any way, a reflection on the commitment and hard work of the store team.

“Every effort will be made to redeploy as many as possible of the three full-time and 16 part-time staff with The Co-operative, or to help them find alternative employment.”