For decades the Co has been a household name in the village, serving the community with groceries and school uniforms in the early years to the latest entertainment systems more recently.

Traders joined customers this week in mourning the end of the shop which will shut in June and which whole generations have regarded as part of the fabric of Milngavie.

Claims have been made that plans for a monster new Tesco nearby may have hastened the demise of the historic store.

Trader Iain Lavrie, who is spearheading Milngavie's bid to be an enterprise district, said: "In trading terms it's shattering news.

"We are very, very disappointed — people come to Milngavie from far and near to shop at the Co and it's like a limb has been lost."

Robert Sider, chief executive designate of Clydebank Co-op, said: "Despite a recent re-fit, volume of trade at both the store and within Milngavie town centre has continued to fall. Therefore it has become necessary to review our trading position in Milngavie.

"We are working with one of our trading partners to possibly redevelop the store; however it is too early to comment on the outcome of these discussions.

"The presence of large superstores on the edge of towns, high rateable values and the economic downturn have had a negative effect generally on town centres across Scotland, and businesses become vulnerable under these circumstances.

"I would however confirm that the non-food store at Sylvania Way, Clydebank is not affected."

MSP Des McNulty said: "This is bad news for Milngavie. The prospect of Tesco doubling its size is likely to have contributed to the Co-op decision to pull out.

"It's deeply disappointing and the danger is that the closure could have a knock-on effect as the Co was the most significant store in the village drawing many people to the area. I would urge councillors making their decision on Tesco to listen to the community and take steps to secure the future of the existing traders — it benefits no one if Milngavie centre dies."