Retailer Sainsbury’s has confirmed the permanent closure of Argos in Blackwood.
The store, on the town’s High Street, closed at the start of the first lockdown in March this year and has not reopened.
Argos owner Sainsbury’s said plans to close most of its standalone stores will include Blackwood.
Blackwood independent councillor Kevin Etheridge had contacted Sainsbury’s over fears the store could close.
In correspondence with the firm, he explained he had been contacted by elderly residents who use the branch and do not have internet access to items online.
Cllr Etheridge described the confirmation as a “very sad day for staff and shoppers”.
In a statement to Caerphilly Observer, a Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said the company planned to open 250 Argos stores and collection points within its current supermarket sites by March 2024 and that it will close 420 branches – leaving around 100 standalone stores.
Argos stores were closed at the start of the pandemic in March and while most reopened, the 120 that did not will remain closed – including Blackwood.
The company has a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Pontllanfraith where Argos orders can be collected.
The spokeswoman said: “Many Argos colleagues have redeployed to help in other Argos stores and Sainsbury’s supermarkets.
“They will continue to do this during the consultation process and we will do everything possible to find them alternative roles within the business by the time this concludes in the New Year.”
In light of the firm’s strategy to close a further 300 standalone stores by 2024, Caerphilly town’s Argos, which reopened at Castle Court Shopping Centre in July, also looks vulnerable considering there is a Sainsbury’s over the mountain in Thornhill.
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a lot of us dont drive so going over the mountain to sainsburys is 2 buses away
Has a Director(s) tried to put themselves in the position of the elderly/infirm and other Caerphilly residents who are excluded. ?
They do not have access to their own cars and rely 100% on public transport. They are also some of the residents who’s only mobile phone is the very basic type and have no wish to upgrade or purchase broadband.
Then taking into account all of the above, try and get a bus to/from their store in Thornhill when it’s pouring down.
There’s not much change from an hour each way AND the only way to find out all the connections is…via internet Traveline ! Their other out of town store locations do not make for a pleasant visit travel experience either. The Pontllanfraith store is almost in Pentwynmawr Newbridge. Try and get there by bus.
Where can you take items back to now then ? If no stores ? Because Argos in Sainsbury’s pontllanfraith is for collection only , and if you have a problem with jewellery under guarantee or insurance where do you go ?? If Argos is in a supermarket then it should also have a returned counter for all items electric toys etc Everything not everyone can travel far afield Seems no thought as been put here Meaning a lot of custom will be lost