The Coop store in Brunne, west of Härnösand, which faces imminent closure, may have a lifeline after Coop nord announced a potential new retailer could take over the business. Three local mothers - Linda Grön, Kattis, and Emelie - who previously didn't know each other, have joined forces to save the store, collecting nearly 2,000 signatures in a community campaign.
According to SVT Västernorrland, the store has reportedly accumulated losses of around 12 million kronor since Coop nord took over operations in 2017, information that surprised many of the approximately 150 local residents who attended a tense meeting with company leadership on Tuesday evening.
Stefan Eriksson, member communications manager at Coop nord, stated that the company has signed a letter of intent allowing a new retailer to potentially take over the operation. "We have an interested party who is willing to buy the property and take over the business," Eriksson said, though the identity of the potential buyer and timeline remain undisclosed.
The store, described as an appreciated gathering point for people throughout the district, had already notified staff of impending layoffs before the community campaign began.