THE DODWORTH Co-op has been sold to Somerfield and all 41 members of staff will keep their jobs. There are 17 full time and 24 part time workers at the High Street store.
It was feared that the area would lose its only supermarket when the Office of Fair Trading said it had to be sold because the merger of the Group and United Co-operatives had made the business too large.
But this week the Co-op announced Somerfield would take over by the end of May. A a spokesman said: "We are pleased to have agreed a deal which secures employment for the staff and our thanks to them for their commitment and hard work."
Barnsley West and Penistone MP Mick Clapham had asked the OFT to reconsider its position as he believes there are not enough Co-op stores in the area to warrant concerns about a monopoly on trade. Although Mr Clapham is pleased jobs and a place to shop for residents have been safeguarded, he is disappointed there will no longer be a Co-op in Dodworth as he values the strong cultural links the firm has with the area.
