Middlesbrough Co-op to close for good after poor hygiene rating

The store on Linthorpe Road in Linthorpe will be closing its door this weekend at 4pm on Saturday, February 25.

It comes after the store was given a zero hygiene rating and was ordered to make improvements back in October last year.

Council inspectors provided a number of changes the store needed to implement.

The supermarket said it was disappointed with the rating and steps had already been taken to improve hygiene standards.

Read more: Middlesbrough Co-op slapped with a ZERO hygiene rating

The store needed to take urgent action to tackle the substandard cleanliness and condition of the facilities and the building to ensure good food hygiene.

Major changes were necessary regarding the systems or checks that were in place to ensure that food sold or served was safe to eat and that staff know about food safety.

A spokesperson for Co-op said at the time: “Co-op goes to great lengths to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of all its stores, making sure we meet the highest standards is a number one priority.

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“We take pride in meeting those high standards and are disappointed with the rating received by our store on this occasion – which does not meet the previous ‘excellent’ rating awarded to the store.

"Steps have been taken to ensure our usual high standards are met, and the store is trading and open to serve the community.”

The Northern Echo has contacted the Coop for a response regarding the closure.

A spokesperson for Co-op, confirmed: "Like all retailers, Co-op regularly reviews its locations and the difficult decision to close our Linthorpe Road store has only been taken after careful consideration.

"The closure is in no way a reflection on the hard work and commitment of colleagues, who are being fully supported.

"Co-op remains committed to serving the region, including stores in nearby Brookfield, Hartburn and Ingleby Barwick, and we would like to thank the community for their support of this store.”