IT will be the end of an era tomorrow (Sat June 9) when the Sainsbury's store in Prestwich closes its doors for the final time.

But it will be a low-key affair as the Longfield Centre supermarket will operate as normal until the shutters are brought down at 6pm.

The community was left reeling in April when the closure was announced.

Shoppers organised a 5,000-plus name Save Our Sainsbury's but store bosses refused to back down on their shock decision.

Sixty per cent of the 138 employees are said to have been redeployed to other Sainsbury's sites, with the remainder choosing to take early retirement or leave.

However, the future of the site is still uncertain.

Bosses have said that there is potential for a mixed development on the site but does not expect any of the top five food retailers to be interested.