(Image: Dorset Council)
A LONG-running and much-loved North Yorkshire business has closed its doors for the last time after being acquired by a supermarket giant.
Proudfoot, a family-run independent supermarket chain, has closed three of its stores in Newby, Seamer and Manham Hill after they were taken over by Tesco.
The brand's first shop was established in Seamer in April 1948 after founder Wilf Proudfoot was inspired by visiting Pigly Wiggly shops whilst visiting the United States - a chain offered a self-service method of selling food that was not available on the Yorkshire Coast.
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The brand closed the doors on three of its four shops on Sunday (October 4), but has said it will maintain a remaining store in Eastfield, Scarborough, which “will be retained by Proudfoot and continue operating as normal”.
Valerie Aston, a Director at Proudfoot, said: “We are pleased to pass on our established award-winning stores on to the UK’s leading supermarket retailer Tesco, which already has a presence across the Scarborough and surrounding areas.
“We have carefully considered this decision and we believe these stores will continue to flourish, offering market leading services to the local communities they serve.
“I would like to take a moment to express our gratitude for the loyal support of our colleagues, suppliers and customers and we would like to thank them whole heartedly for being part of our story for over 75 years.”
Andy Sanderson, Tesco’s Retail Director for Convenience in the North, said: “We’re pleased to have reached this agreement with Proudfoot, giving Tesco the opportunity to serve more customers in Newby, Seamer and Manham Hill.
“Proudfoot has a long and proud history in these communities, and we look forward to building on the strong local relationships already in place.
"Our immediate focus is supporting colleagues and working closely with the Proudfoot team as we prepare to open the new stores later this year. We’re excited to play our part in supporting customers and communities across Scarborough for years to come.”
On Facebook, customers were upset to see the store and shared their well wishes for staff as well as memories of Proudfoot over the decades – with one person adding that it was a “very sad day not only for the area but also for independent local supermarkets.”
The Seamer and Manham Hill stores will reopen as Tesco Express stores in the autumn, with the Newby store reopening as a Tesco Superstore early in the New Year.