CONCERNS over a shortage of food in a Herefordshire supermarket have been raised, with residents fearful of further impacts in the case of bad weather.

Kington Town Council was told there had been a shortage of milk, bread and fresh meat, as well as salad and vegetables, in the town's Co-op.

Kington Chamber of Trade chairman Emma Hancock said there were some bare shelves in the shop, currently undergoing a £925,000 refurbishment, on Tuesday, January 5 – the day after Boris Johnson announced England's third coronavirus lockdown.

In a town council meeting on January 11, she said: "We do have a concern about the availabilty of products at the moment, especially if we get snow over the next six weeks.

"Just some feedback that we've had about there not being any fresh meat, milk, bread, and I know we've got the butchers as well, but not everyone chooses to shop at the butchers.

"We're just concerned that if we do get snow over the next six weeks, what's going to happen?"

She added: "People do panic buy when there's a fluttering of snow, so it is a very big concern of ours at the moment."

A Co-op spokesperson said some shortages had been of the shop's refurb.

"As the works started the store received lower levels of stock than usual across a small number of product lines, this has now been rectified with the team working quickly to replenish supplies," they said.

"The store team will be working hard to minimise disruption throughout the works, and to deliver as extensive an offer as possible to continue to feed the community.

"The works are a phased approach, with sections of the store completed before the full works are concluded and the store relaunches at the beginning of March."

The 6,000 sq ft Crabtree Road store, which supports around 30 local jobs, will stay open throughout the revamp and will re-launch in early March after the investment totalling more than £925,000.

The chain said the shop will run on 100 per cent renewable electricity, and have an increased range of products.

Simon Clarke, Co-op Store Manager, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to carry out such a significant programme of works to enhance and improve our Kington store.

"We will work to continue to feed and care for the community during the works, and we look forward to re-launching in early March. We are working to develop the range, choice, products and services locally that will create a really compelling offer in the community.

“Co-op is committed to connecting communities and making a difference locally and so I also want customers to know that they can become a member of the Co-op.

"In addition to unlocking additional value and personalised offers, our members also make a difference to local causes, with Co-op now donating two per cent to community causes every time a member swipes their membership card when buying own-branded products.”

Community groups currently benefitting from the two per cent donations include Kington Town FC youth team, Kington Bowling Club and the Radnor Valley recreation and amenity centre.