Midlands Co-Op closes three department stores

Bosses at Midlands Co-operative blamed the growth of online shopping for their financial losses

Three fashion and home stores owned by Midlands Co-operative are closing this week after the firm said it was losing money.

The company announced in January it would be closing nine of its department stores because of "substantial losses" following changes to the retail market.

Up to 388 staff jobs are likely to be affected by the store closures.

Midlands Co-op bosses said staff had been given the opportunity to relocate to other areas of the business.

The department store in Coalville, Leicestershire and The Bed Centre in Long Eaton will close on Tuesday with the Derby department store closing on Friday.

Further department stores in Ilkeston and Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Wigston, Leicestershire, Stafford and home stores in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire and Raunds, Northamptonshire will shut later in July.