Barnard Castle Co-Op to close and Penny Petroleum will open

The Co-op petrol station on Prospect Place in Barnard Castle will shut temporarily on Monday (November 13) and won't reopen until Thursday (November 16), due to a rebranding. 

While the Co-op petrol station has belonged to the high street brand for years, it is being replaced by a Penny Petroleum store and petrol station. 

During the closure, it's believed that the Co-op branding will be removed and new systems will be installed. 

Penny Petroleum has numerous sites across the region, including in Darlington, Durham, and Newton Aycliffe among others.

Co-op petrol station in Barnard Castle (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

The news was announced to customers of the petrol station through a sign that has been displayed on the Co-op door. 

Meanwhile, Co-op said its food business lost £33 million to costs including shoplifting this year as it reported the highest ever levels of shop crime.

The group called for more action in the UK as it said the vast majority of offenders get away.

It comes as the Co-op Group unveiled its financial results for the six months to July, reporting a £200 million dip in revenues compared to the same time last year.

This was a result of the sale of its petrol forecourts to rival Asda last year, as well as the cost-of-living squeeze meaning customers were buying fewer items, it said.

Rain in March dampened sales in the convenience market – before shoppers returned to local shops in June during the heatwave.

Matt Hood, Co-op Food's managing director, said: "A rise in shop looting and retail crime perpetuated by repeat, prolific offenders and organised criminal gangs is becoming genuinely one of the most significant issues facing UK communities."