The Co-op has decided to close the East Bergholt village store in The Street, to be replaced by a new store in the Hills Residential housing development in late 2025.

The current store, located in the heart of the village, acts as a hub for the community being joined by The Lion, Fountain House Tea Room and the pharmacy. There has been a store in the village centre since the 1900s, and I am concerned that moving the store will change the village dynamic. The new store will require either walking along the busiest road in the village with a narrow path, which is not easily accessible for wheelchair users or families which require a pram, or driving, adding to the heavy traffic along Heath Road near the High School and doctors surgery. 

I have been in contact with Oliver Drury, Head of Member and Customer Support at the East of England Co-op about this issue. If you share my concerns, please sign this petition. I will then be sharing this with Oliver, who is open to listening to the viewpoint of villagers.