A BASINGSTOKE Co-op store has shut down as a refit is underway to reopen as an Asda Express. 

The Asda Express convenience store, which was scheduled to open in Grove Road, near Viables, this morning, was closed at 9am as staff carried out a refit of the store. 

A Gazette reporter spoke to employees at the store, who said that they hope it will open later today but were uncertain about a specific time. 

Basingstoke Gazette: The Asda store

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The store has replaced the Co-Op, in a move by Asda to reach 1,000 stores in the UK.

The company acquired 132 convenience stores with attached petrol stations from the Co-Op in August 2022 for £438m.

The supermarket previously converted 259 stores, with a further 110 Asda Express shops opening this month.

Andy Perry, Asda’s vice president of convenience, said: “Asda’s significant investment in building a nationwide chain of convenience stores is a key component of our long-term strategy to become the number two player in UK grocery.

“February is a transformational month for programme with a record number of store openings and conversion of all former Co-op sites to Asda Express sites.

“The teams have worked at pace to reach this point and we look forward to bringing Asda’s quality and low prices to many more communities across the UK.”