A Co-op food store in Epsom has now been shut for more than five months while the shop’s floor is completely re-built.

The store, in Upper High Street, shut on September 20, 2012, when a sign was displayed announcing it had closed due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Then, in October, a Co-op spokeswoman said the closure was only temporary and a normal service would resume as soon as building work had been completed.

And this week, she said work on the site was "taking longer than initially anticipated" due to major structural defects being found and that the store is due to re-open next month.

She said: "The safety of our customers and staff is paramount to us, and so we closed the store as soon as we became aware of structural problems with the floor, so we could assess the repair work needed.

"We found major structural defects, and contractors are currently on site completely re-building the floor.

"This is a considerable piece of work that is unfortunately taking longer than was initially anticipated.

"We are working very hard to complete the work as quickly as possible, and at present we estimate the store will be open again in April.

"We would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience. 

"In the meantime, the Co-operative food store on Station Approach is open, as usual, from 7am until 10pm."