Somerfield name likely to vanish

The name of Bristol-based supermarket Somerfield is likely to vanish after a takeover by The Co-operative Group looks almost certain.

About 800 workers are based at the store's south Bristol HQ in Whitchurch.

To allow the £1.6bn takeover the Office of Fair Trading has agreed to the Co-op plan to sell 126 stores in areas where a merger would create a monopoly.

With the Co-op being run from Manchester, staff at the Bristol site are watching the development closely.

'Name changes'

From Bristol family grocer JH Mills in 1875, to self-service supermarket Gateway in 1950, then Somerfield 40 years later - there have been many names above the door.

The change from Somerfield to the Co-operative is a deal worth almost £1.6bn.

This would place the Co-operative into fifth place among supermarkets in the UK, just behind Morrisons.

Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda are the top three.

The Office of Fair Trading said the deal it would provide more competition which would be good news for shoppers.