Closure of Morrisons on Roman Road

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Oct 2005

Morrisons have announced that the supermarket on Roman Road will definitely cease trading on 5th November. Lib Dem Councillors are calling on the Council to take positive steps to help those people affected.

Morrisons' recent decision to close the Roman Road store caused much distress to residents and traders in Bow. For local people it meant job cuts and the loss of their only supermarket. Traders fear that their businesses will decline and that the store's car park will also be lost.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Ray Gipson said "I warned this Council months ago about this closure but they paid no heed. They do not seem to understand what an impact it will have on our community. Older people and those that do not have cars will be particularly affected."

"This Council needs to take positive steps to help local people, for example, ensuring older people have enough support to help them with their shopping. Public money should be spent on helping these people and regenerating this area rather than on pointless half page advertisements in the local press.