Didcot's Somerfield supermarket -- part of the site of the long-awaited town centre redevelopment -- has closed its doors.

The store is part of the 18-acre Orchard Centre site which is to be redeveloped by South Oxfordshire District Council and Taylor Woodrow with a new Sainsbury's supermarket, 28 other shops, a cinema and arts centre.

Following Saturday's closure, the only town centre supermarket in Didcot will be the Co-op next door to the Somerfield store. It is not part of the town centre redevelopment site.

No one was available for comment at the Somerfield store. But in a statement from Somerfield's head office, the company said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank staff and customers for their loyalty and custom over many years."

Initially the company traded as Keymarkets at what is now WH Smith in Broadway, before moving to the Market Place 25 years ago.

The company has been tight-lipped about staff redundancies, claiming it could not discuss details of any arrangements made for staff because of confidentiality required by the Data Protection Act.

It is understood that there have been consultations between management and 76 full time and part-time staff about re-employment with other firms, and retirements.