AMMAN Valley traders have vented their frustration over Co-op’s plans to move into the area.

Last month Co-op announced its plans to open a new convenience store in Garnant as part of a £650,000 investment.

The former Arcade Terrace site is being transformed into the new store, which is due to open in July.

But it is feared that once Co-op moves in, many of the smaller traders could be put under financial pressures.

Shahid Hussain who runs the post office and fuel station in Glanamman said he felt “disappointed” with the news and hoped that customers remained loyal to local traders.

He said: “The last year has been a really difficult one for many people and throughout the pandemic myself, Zahid and Imran from Siop y Pentre and Garnant Stores have all worked really hard for the people in the community.

“At the beginning of the pandemic we would be queuing at the cash and carry from midnight just so that we could provide our customers with the essentials, such as bread, eggs, flour and toilet roll.

“Our staff have been putting themselves at risk for months by being in close contact with people on a daily basis and working really long hours to support the community.

“We were all sacrificing our own health and queuing every night for around two months so that the most vulnerable in the community didn’t go without.

“The convenience stores in Glanamman and Garnant have also been operating a delivery service to people isolating.”

Mr Hussain said the Co-op news was a “kick in the teeth”.

Adding: “Now that we are beginning to get back to some kind of normality, the Co-op will open and have an easy time of it.

“We understand the new store is coming and there is nothing we can do, but it will put financial pressure on the existing stores in the area.

“I think the site could have been put to far better use, such as off-road parking to ease the parking issues on Cwmaman Road, or a community garden.

“It is also a shame that the original plans of social housing for the site have been scrapped. That would have been great for the area.

“I think the first offer was taken rather than the best offer. We just hope that our customers will remain loyal.”