STUDLEY villagers could soon get an answer as to whether their only supermarket, the Pioneer Co-op Store, is to stay open, writes Julian Seva.

Owners CWS have confirmed that although the store is still on a 'sell-off list' a smaller store might be developed on the Alcester Road site.

A CWS spokesman said: "There are a number of options open to us at the moment.

"I can confirm that we might develop a smaller store on the site but there have been no decisions taken as yet.

"It is something that has just come up as an option but it's very early days."

The store has been under threat since summer last year, when staff were informed it was to be sold.

But since then, the company has searched in vain for a buyer.

Villagers, including elderly residents who complained about the difficulty of travelling to other supermarkets, were appalled when the news was announced.

Studley Parish Councillor Bill McCarthy said: "If by any chance another company would buy it, that would be OK.

"But it could be a matter of downsizing and using part of the land for something else.

"I know that was mooted two or three years back."