Sainsbury's has confirmed that it plans to close its Welshpool store.

The supermarket chain announced in 2019 that it would be closing 15 stores over the next two years, and opening 10 more over the next five years.

Now it has confirmed that it is to shut its branch in Welshpool.

A spokesman for the grocery giant said: “We have updated colleagues on the difficult decision to close our Welshpool store in July and we are doing everything we can to find alternative roles within Sainsbury’s for those affected.

"Customers can continue to shop with us at our Oswestry and Shrewsbury Superstores.”

The news is the latest blow for retail in the town, and comes hot on the heels of WH Smith closing its store in Broad Street. 

The well-known stationery chain closed its doors for the final time last week.

Phil Pritchard, a town and county councillor, said: "The situation in the town centre is getting worse and worse.

"There doesn't seem to be anything anyone can do about these things. It's just the state of the country and the state of the county.

"It is anothe rlarge unit in the town centre that is probably going to be empty for a very long time.

"There were some very loyal staff and loyal customers and if you were talking about pleasant places to go and pleasant staff to speak to in Welshpool, then Sainsbury's was one of the best."

The company announced the plans to shut branches in 2019, and at the time finance chief Kevin O'Byrne told the Daily Mail: "'These are stores we don't see a long-term future for."

The decision came in the wake of the failure of the company's plan to buy supermarket rival Asda, and was part of arestructure of the business which also promised the opening of a number of new stores.

Last week, Sainsbury’s announced that it would increase salaries for staff at its supermarkets and Argos stores and pay a bonus to frontline workers - the third since the coronavirus pandemic started.

Sainsbury’s staff currently receive £9.30 an hour and Argos workers get £9 an hour, but this will rise to £9.50 from March.

Supermarkets have been one of the biggest winners during the global pandemic, remaining open throughout and enjoying strong sales as non-essential retailers, pubs, cafes and restaurants remain shut.