A CROWD of 50 people turned out to protest against plans to close their local shop for good.

The angry customers have vowed to fight on to keep the Save and Save store trading in Shard End.

Owner George Akhtar was told he could not open a unit in a new development, part of a £27 million revamp of the area, because his business was too similar to a Co-op due to open in November.

Campaigner Toni Senior said the shop’s loyal punters will continue to push for a place for Mr Akhtar in the new urban village.

She said Mr Akhtar’s family had owned the shop for 36 years. Mr Akhtar, aged 37, has run the business for the last decade and has become a lifeline for many of his older customers.

The 47-year-old said: “People in Shard End are on low incomes and George has economic prices. There are six people that work in that shop and George doesn’t employ anybody outside the community.

“If pensioners are ill they’ll ring up George and he takes their shopping to them. When it was snowing he wouldn’t allow them to come out, he would ring them and ask what they needed.

“We want to stand up and show that we want to keep Save and Save in the community.”

The campaigners have won one concession after Mr Akhtar, who was originally told to close at the end of last month, heard he could stay open at his current address, in Shard End Crescent, until May 12.

He will then move to run his business from temporary cabin accommodation in Coneyford Road until the supermarket opens.

A spokesman for Midlands Co-operative Society, had earlier said the supermarket prides itself on being ethical and responsible and promised to support the local community.

The spokesman added: “We will soon be starting work as part of the regeneration project.

“This development represents a considerable investment in the area and demonstrates the Society’s continued commitment to the community of Shard End.

“The new store will create a significant number of jobs and will supply a range of quality products.”