Last pints pulled at Lamb & Flag Bryncoch

It's farewell to the once popular pub on the main road at Bryncoch.   It is reported to become a Co-op mini supermarket.

As one Co-op closes another opens, it would seem.   The Co-op at Herbert Street, Pontardawe, is being taken over by the McColl's Group of convenience stores.  The same friendly staff have been retained under a agreement with the previous owners.

The Co-op record of store ownership is sadly not impressive with some doubtful deals over the past few years.   The Summerfield Group was bought by the Co-op and was never the success that was hoped for.

The Co-op at Pyle, trading under the name of Leos, now belongs to Asda.    The national chain of Co-op stores were never related to the Briton Ferry & Neath Co-op (1916-1975) which opened Neath's first supermarket in Alfred Street, Neath, and closed it in 1975.

The new Co-op at Bryncoch will find it hard to compete with the Tesco Express Store at nearby Dwr y Felin Road, Waunceirch.

The Pontardawe Co-op is now selling off Co-op branded products at huge discounts ready for the change over to McColls.