A McColl's store in Winsford is set to be sold in order to facilitate a takeover deal from Morrisons.

The supermarket chain is currently progressing with a £190 million purchase of stores owned by McColl's Retail Group Plc.

But in July of this year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the deal.

And, following the first phase of its inquiry, the CMA found while the deal would not harm the vast majority of shoppers or other businesses, it raised competition concerns in 35 areas, including in Winsford.

The two retailers accepted the concerns and now Morrisons has offered to divest 28 McColl's stores to a purchaser or purchasers to be approved by CMA.

Included among these 28 stores to be sold is the Willow Square branch in Wharton.

The CMA is minded to accept these proposals, which appear to be suitable to restore the loss of competition brought about by the deal across each of the 35 local areas.

While the number of McColl’s stores Morrisons is proposing to sell is lower than the number of areas in which concerns were identified, the sale of some stores would address the concerns in multiple areas.

The CMA is now consulting on the proposals – known as undertakings – for the sale of these stores. If the CMA accepts the proposals, the deal would be cleared to proceed.

Sorcha O’Carroll, CMA senior director of mergers, said: “Our preliminary view is that the sale of these stores will preserve competition in these local areas and prevent consumers from losing out due to this deal, at a time when shoppers are already facing rising prices.

“If, after reviewing the responses to our consultation, we conclude that the competition issues have been addressed, the deal will be cleared.”

McColl’s operates convenience newsagent shops, with more than 1,100 stores across England, Scotland, and Wales, while Morrisons (owned by parent company Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R)) has around 500 grocery stores in the UK.