Smallest Albert Heijn branch in the Netherlands has to close despite residents’ protest | Economy

At the end of last year, when it became known that the branch had to close, Rob Coppenhagen and five other residents of Naarden-Vesting started a petition to stop Ahold’s decision. It was signed about sixteen hundred times, reports say NH News.

In a video of over eight minutes, the residents explain why they think it is so important that the establishment remains. “This is a disaster for our community,” it says, among other things.

Albert Heijn is the only store for daily groceries in the village for residents. The supermarket is especially important for single elderly people. They rely on shops nearby.

After the petition, Albert Heijn entered into discussions with Coppenhagen and the other initiators. But those consultations yielded no results: Ahold still plans to close the branch halfway through this year.