A WORCESTER supermarket will close its doors for the final time today.

Sainsbury's has been in the city centre since November 1967, and staff and customers say it will be the end of an era when the Cathedral Plaza shop closes at 6pm.

The supermarket giant announced it was closing the store last month and all of the 65 members of staff, 20 of whom are full-time, have either taken redundancy or been relocated.

Bosses said they made the decision to close the store because an increase in rent would have made it unprofitable.

Head of property convenience Euan McMurdo said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and staff for their loyalty over the years."

What the empty shop will be used for is a mystery.

Cathedral Plaza manager John Kendrick said: "Since Sainsbury's took the decision to close the store our agents have been actively promoting the space to a number of traders and some are showing a lot of interest."

Rumours have been rife about which store will take over the ground-floor unit, but at least one favourite - Primark - has confirmed it will not be looking to move in. Worcester City Council's planning manager Paul O'Connor said businesses looking at the site's potential might have some reservations because it is off the High Street.

"It's a decent size unit but the shop has got columns and pillars which don't make it particularly attractive to modern retailers.

"Although Cathedral Plaza has picked up in recent times there's still a question over who is going to go in there.

"If the right operator comes in at the right time we will fill the unit.

"Major clients do want to come to Worcester. Many national and regional retailers want to come to Worcester, so let's see - but nothing is sorted out yet."

Meanwhile, Mr McMurdo said Sainsbury's was committed to building a new store in St John's, Worcester. The supermarket has planning permission to develop the site, currently occupied by St John's Sports Centre in Malvern Road. Part of the agreement with Worcester City Council is that a replacement sports centre will be built opposite.

Although Mr McMurdo said Sainsbury's is working with local planners to develop the scheme, Mr O'Connor said the city council has not been approached about it since the supermarket announced the closure of its city centre store.

Lucy Rose, aged 22, a receptionist of Hanbury, near Droitwich, said: "I think it's a shame. The shop I used to work in also closed down because it couldn't afford the rent either. I hope they build a new one somewhere else in Worcester, near to the city centre."Nikita Kennard, aged 21, a housewife of Dines Green, Worcester, said: "The closure's a good idea because the one up at Blackpole does a lot more trade, it is a bigger store and there's a lot more variety. If a store is built in St John's it won't bother me."Harry Bird, aged 87, of Grimley, near Worcester, said: "It is a pity. I mainly shop at the one in Warndon but if I need something I can call in here and do fresh food shopping. It's going to be a big loss. I feel sorry for people living in the flats here who rely on it."Carmel Panesh, aged 20, a housewife who lives in the city centre, said: "It will affect me quite a lot. I use Sainsbury's near enough every day when I take my son to school to get his lunch. I will just have to go and get a big shop once a week now."Janet Whiting, aged 63, a cleaner of London Road, Worcester, said: "It's going to be missed. We often come in here to get my tea and potatoes and crusty rolls. It's been here some time and the staff are very good. I will go to Iceland for my shop now."