THURNSCOE shoppers are not prepared to see their only supermarket close without a fight.
Pam Butler and Joan Morgan decided to raise a petition outside the Somerfield store on Friday morning after the village was shocked by the news it will close on or before October 21.
In no time they had collected 300 signatures, by Wednesday it had risen to 1,000 and they’ll be outside the store again today. Signatures have been collected in care homes and Sharnie Cunningham, nine, volunteered her services to help the campaign.
“What are people going to do,” said Pam. “The bus service is terrible so it’s difficult to go anywhere else and all the people in buggies can’t get on buses anyway.
“It’s no good boycotting it because that will get us nowhere, and what about the students from the Robert Ogden school who come down every day to do a bit of shopping and learn life skills.”
The store is a useful aid for helping the young people with autism to live in the community.
The petition will be sent to Somerfield and a copy to the MP, Jeff Ennis. Coun Janice Hancock will present a copy to Barnsley Council.
A spokesman for Somerfield said that there has been no change to the proposed closure and that “deals are under negotiation”.
“Thurnscoe needs a supermarket, less houses and more facilities. It’s just another nail in the coffin against village life,” said Pam. “Where do old age pensioners, the disabled and kids shop now? They’re putting profit before people.”
