“It is a sad day for the Ribble Valley as NM Rothschilds are seeking a buyer for Booths Supermarket chain which has shops in Longridge and Clitheroe” says Councillor Ken Hind, Leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council. 

''Booths has been at the heart of our community for many years and forms an important hub in Berry Lane Longridge at the centre of our main shopping street. In Clitheroe the large  site on the edge of town is adjacent to the proposed new market development and an important part of the future  Clitheore town centre.”

''It is important to the Ribble Valley that we work together with the new owners in the same way that  Booths family have done  as  part of our local communities. We need to make sure sure the new owners continue to provide the same service to the Ribble Valley as in the past. Booths as the Waitrose of the north provide a wide range of quality products a part of our retail offering, different from cheaper rivals which we wish to retain. It is also important to make sure that the jobs of the workforce are protected as many local residents work in the stores.”

The sale of Booths follows a reported loss of £6.3million last year .The Company owns 28 shops across the north and employs 2800 people and has been trading for 170 years in the ownership of the same family.