The group set up to contest last year's proposed merger between Nisa-Today's and Costcutter has taken the decision to disband.

The Nisa Members Association (NMA), which has endured a rocky relationship with Nisa chiefs since its formation, said it believed it had achieved its objectives and called on members to embrace Nisa-Today's new regional council system.

In a statement it said: "The NMA has done a good job and can now take a bow. The voluntary work and financial sacrifices made have been productive and we can all look forward to a fairer and more transparent future." The statement added that it was now "a suitable moment for the NMA to trust the executive to achieve set targets and deliver promises".

The decision comes just weeks after the Nisa-Today's board refused to recognise the NMA and its work.
Former NMA chairman Mark Proudfoot told Convenience Store: "We achieved what we set out to do. I think the board now understands the membership better and that now is the right moment to step back and give the executive and board time to perform."

Nisa-Today's non-executive chairman Raj Chatha added: "I'm pleased this decision has been taken, which is in the best long-term interests of the group and its members. It's great to see support for the management team and we can all now work together in a unified way."