Commenting on the announcement of job losses at Co-operative Food in Newtown and Welshpool, Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George said:
"This is devastating news for everyone affected and I am extremely saddened to hear the confirmation of these store closures.
"While it’s desperately sad to lose another retail store, my main concern is for jobs and I hope the employees currently working at both stores will be able to secure new jobs locally, so that valuable retail skills will not be lost.
"Today’s news emphasises the current fragility of the Welsh economy and the need for Welsh Ministers to work closely with the UK Government to create the conditions for economic growth."
"I raised the issue of Newtown regeneration with the Business Minister this week (Wednesday) and stressed to her that it was imperative for the Welsh Government to urgently bring forward its regeneration plan for Newtown as part of the Powys Growth Zones initiative.
"The Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the National Assembly, Andrew RT Davies AM, will be joining me in Welshpool at the end of this week (Friday) to meet with local business leaders and discuss what can practically be done to improve not only the economy of Welshpool but the wider economy of Mid Wales."