A COLCHESTER petrol station shop looks set to be transformed into a mini Asda store as part of a huge takeover deal. 

The Co-op, which is part of the Texaco in Shrub End Road, will become an Asda Express by the end of March next year.

It comes as the supermarket giant looks to start repurposing stores it acquired during a deal last year. 

Asda is planning to become the UK’s second-largest supermarket chain and is growing its convenience store sector in order to do so. 

The deal with Co-op included a total of 132 forecourts and cost the company £438 million. 

As a result of the exchange, 116 new express stores will pop-up around the country between now and March 2024 - 11 of which have already opened. 

A part of the takeover  the 2,300 workers who are currently employed at the Co-op will transfer to the new Asda locations. 

Asda’s co-owner Mohsin Issa said: “The launch of our conversion programme is an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.

"We look forward to bringing Asda’s great value in fuel and groceries to many more communities across the UK and to welcoming over 2,000 former Co-op colleagues to the Asda family in the coming months."