Budgens Supermarkets are Closing

[Pauline]

I heard on the BBC news today that the small supermarket chain of Budgens is closing! There are a few of these in the Cotswolds. They are the main supermarkets for Moreton-in-Marsh, Broadway and Burford.

This supermarket chain has won many awards for its service and products.

BBC News - Budgens: More than 800 jobs lost as 34 stores close, 7 March 2017

@Felicity - you live in this area. What will happen? Is another retailer going to buy the shops? (Please let it be Waitrose.)

@Kathy - this will affect you too. You probably shop there when you are in the Cotswolds for your tours.

 

[Ian Sutton]

Hi Pauline
They were bought out not long ago, and this is the 'rationalisation' of that. The takeover is multi layered, as Booker (food distribution) bought Budgens, but Booker were then bought by Tesco (TEE as they are sometimes referred to... The Evil Empire).
Some are being rebranded and will survive
Some have been traded, so might rebrand to a completely separate chain
Others will shut and the list has been published - here's a cut & paste of the list with closing dates

List of stores involved and number of workers
Location - Closure date - Employee numbers

Aberystwyth - February 26 - 22

Blackburn - February 25 - 13

South Benfleet - February 26 - 12

Ludlow - February 26 - 27

Weoley Castle - February 26 - 26

Norwich - February 26 - 18

Dagenham (Becontree) - February 26 - 17

Greenwich, London - February 26 - 22

Sydenham, London - February 26 - 22

Northumberland Heath - March 5 - 19

Watton - March 5 - 23

Buckley – Brunswick Road - March 5 - 32

Prestwick March 5 35

Crewkerne, Falklands Square - March 5 - 16

Helston, The Parade - March 5 - 24

Cardigan, Lower Mwldan - March 5 - 19

Totnes, Fore Street - March 5 - 19

Shaftesbury, Bell Street - March 5 - 22

Christchurch, Saxon Square - March 5 - 18

Rochford, Roche Close - March 5 - 23

Basingstoke, Winklebury Way - March 5 - 20

Tiverton, Market Walk - March 5 - 22

Gillingham, Kent - March 9 - 37

Southall, London - March 9 - 22

Littlehampton – Wick Street - March 9 - 16

Sherwood, Mansfield Road - March 9 - 24

Newport, Shropshire March 9 30

New Invention, Shropshire March 9 30

New Brighton March 9 17

Wisbech - March 9 - 25

St Neots - March 9 - 27

Paisley -March 9 - 34

Monmouth, Oldway Centre - March 9 - 21

Weymouth, Littlemoor Road - March 9 - 36

regards
Ian

 

[Eleanor]

That may not be good news if Tesco have got hold of them....

 

[Kathy]

We do shop at Budgens in Moreton-in-Marsh and like it very much... they use lots of local vendors. But I think it's run as a franchise?

I found this article https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/30281...losing-all-its-stores-and-losing-815-workers/ that says 150 Budgens stores will remain open, so looks like the Moreton store is good for now.

 

[Felicity]

Pauline, I don't think any of our local ones are affected. They are all independently owned. The ones which are closing are part of a group owned by the same people. I have been in some pretty ropey ones. I like the food in Warner's Budgens but I think it is, in the main, a tad overpriced ( e.g. recently wanting some sparkling water, I found just one2 litre bottle cost nearly as much as a pack of four from Waitrose, Tesco and even M and S).although I always do well on their special offers for card holders.