GREAT Harwood’s Co-op store is set to be taken over by Morrisons, it has been announced.

The news comes just months after the opening of Aldi and ahead of Tesco’s plans to open nearby.

The town’s regeneration board chairman has welcomed the change, saying the three supermarkets will provide a ‘huge attraction’ and put a stop to the amount of shoppers currently travelling out of town.

Co-op bosses said they were selling the Queen Street food store as a going concern and that employment of the 59 members of staff would automatically transfer to supermarket giant Morrisons, who will take over on Thursday, August 26.

News of Morrison’s arrival was described as “good news for shoppers” by the chairman of Great Harwood’s Regeneration Board, John Duckworth.

He said choice for consumers had improved considerably since budget supermarket Aldi opened in March, opposite the Queen Street site Tesco has earmarked for their new store.

He said: “I think it’s safe to say that the monopoly of the Co-op store is definitely over and more competition can only be good news for shoppers.

"During the inquiry into the Tesco planning application Co-op said they may have to reconsider their position and for whatever reason they have now decided to close.

“Having three supermarkets will be good for the town centre, because currently people are shopping in Accrington and Blackburn, but with Aldi, Tesco and Morrisons here in Great Harwood – why would you spend money travelling elsewhere?

“You also have to remember those people who don’t drive will now have more choice.”

A spokesman for The Co-operative Group said: “Staff at the store have been informed of the sale and all staff, 16 full time and 43 part time, will automatically transfer to the new operator with terms and conditions of employment maintained.”