THE Co-operative Group has confirmed its plans to close Somerfield’s headquarters in a move affecting about 750 staff.

The UK’s biggest mutual retailer said it expected the Somerfield HQ in Bristol to shut about 18 months after the completion of its £1.6bn takeover.

The Co-op aims to transfer “as many as possible” of the Bristol staff to the merged head office in Manchester.

The takeover cements the Co-op’s position as the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer.