LAUNCESTON is not among the 76 towns or cities to lose 24-hour opening at its Tesco store, the Post understands.

Today (January 29), Tesco announced opening hours will be reduced at 76 stores around the country.

A list of the 76 stores affected was sent to the Post — Launceston’s not among those listed.

Those affected include stores in Barnstaple, Truro and St Austell.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “The move to reduce hours means more Tesco colleague time will be freed up to replenish products on the shelves overnight, which will mean better availability of products and better looking stores when they open their doors to customers each morning.”

Affected stores, which had previously been open 24 hours, will close their doors to customers between midnight and 6am.

Tony Hoggett, retail director for Tesco said: “We’re always thinking about how to serve our customers better in each of our stores and with the growth of online grocery shopping, these stores saw very few customers during the night.

“It makes much more sense for colleagues at those stores to focus on replenishing the shelves instead and making sure they’re fully stocked when they open their doors at 6am.

“We’ll continue to make changes in store in ways that will make shopping at Tesco a better experience for our customers, at the times they want to shop.”

24 hour trading began in 1996 and approximately 400 stores are open 24 hours a day.