It is Norway's closed borders that have struck another hard blow against cross-border trade in Strömstad.

At the beginning of June, 96 people from the grocery store Grensemat AB's three stores were notified, Maximat and Nordby Supermarket in Nordby and Maximat in Svinesund.

Now another 200 people risk losing their jobs, which leaves the company with only 50 employees, P4 Väst first reported.

In other words, it will be empty of store staff in the three stores that before the corona pandemic had 350 employees.

- After 26 years of fantastic years, it feels like a black hole in the chest.

Several have worked here since we started.

The atmosphere right now is heavy and subdued, says Göran Lundgren, operations manager for Grensemat AB.

90 percent reduced revenue

As a result of Norwegian corona restrictions and a sharp reduction in travel across the border, the company's sales have plummeted.

According to Göran Lundgren, revenues have decreased by 90 percent since March.

- No one had expected this to happen.

The company flourished before the pandemic, he says. 

Despite the fact that they have persevered to the last, he believes that they have now reached a situation where they can no longer keep up with their employees.

He believes that waiting for Norway to ease its restrictions is no longer an option.

- They do not seem to have any logic in their decisions.

This can continue for another six months or longer.

We have nothing to plan for and it felt like the right time to make this decision, says Göran Lundgren.

Hopes for a brighter future

The 96 people who were notified of the dismissal at the beginning of the summer will leave the company on the first of October.

Trade union negotiations are now underway on when the 200 people who were notified of the notice on Thursday will have to leave.

This is what Görsan Lundgren said when we reported on the company in March after Norway had just introduced strict restrictions on who can cross the border.

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- You can not say that it looks good right now, says Göran Lundgren, operations manager for Grensemat.

Photo: SVT