The Midcounties Co-operative supermarket in Squirrel Lane, Cressex, High Wycombe, was closed last year after ‘rat seen on shelves’

Mystery surrounds the future of a High Wycombe supermarket which was shut six months ago after shocked shoppers reported seeing a rat run across food shelves.

Staff at the condemned Midcounties Co-operative in Cressex voluntarily closed the doors to the store just weeks before Christmas because of a health risk.

On December 3, supermarket bosses told the Bucks Free Press they were working alongside environmental health services to ensure that they can re-open as soon as possible.

READ MORE HERE: Health risks force High Wycombe supermarket closure - shoppers say rats seen on shelves.

However, just over six months on and with Christmas decorations still seen in the windows, nearby residents have been left scratching their heads asking if the store will ever be reopened.

At the time of closing the Squirrel Lane supermarket, staff would not confirm the reason behind the health scare, but neighbours reported witnessing a rat problem.

One shopper told the Free Press that a rat was seen on a shelf in the store.

The store is in Squirrel Lane, High Wycombe.

When questioned at the time if this was the reason behind the closure, spokesman Jessica Dingley said they could not confirm or deny the circumstances behind the decision.

Pictures of the deserted store taken this week show that nothing has been changed on the outside since December, although it is unclear what work has been done inside the supermarket.

A sign placed in the window at the time of the closure reads: “Please accept our apologies, this store has had to close for some urgent unexpected remedial work to be undertaken.

“We will advise all our customers as soon as this has been completed.”

The Free Press has contacted Midcounties Co-operative for a comment.