Nisa member DAB Stores has sold its convenience store and garage forecourt site in Minsterley, Shropshire, to the Co-operative Group for £1.6m.

Former owners Darren Bebb and Amanda Lees purchased the site as teenagers in 1992 and have built up the business over the past 20 years, including a significant development of the store into a neighbourhood supermarket in 2005.

The Co-op already operates stores in the neighbouring towns of Pontesbury and Bishop's Castle. It has pledged to retain the existing workforce at Minsterley.

Darren told local news service Shropshire Live: “After much interest in the business from a number of potential buyers, we decided to sell to The Co-operative because of the business' commitment to the existing staff, the community and continued growth. We feel confident the business will be in safe hands”

The Co-op's regional operations director Peter Rowley added: “We will meet all the community's daily food shopping needs and, in the best traditions of The Co-operative, make our contribution to community life.”

Christies handled the sale on behalf of the vendors.