Five stores in Kent are among 298 small food shops being sold by the Co-op to McColl’s Retail Group for £117 million.

All 3,808 staff at the outlets will be transferred over to their new owner should the deal be approved by competition authorities and shareholders.

The stores are based in Albert Road in Chatham, Henderson Drive in Dartford, Bush Parade in Ramsgate, St John’s Hill in Sevenoaks and High Street in Milton Regis, Sittingbourne.

Each will continue to trade as normal after the handover, which is expected in November.

The sell-off is part of the Co-op’s strategy to focus on its own-brand goods, with the stores considered to small to stock enough goods.

In the last year, the supermarket become the most frequently visited food retailer in the UK band it has opened 200 stores in the last 24 months.

It is looking to make another 100 store acquisitions this year.

Co-op Food chief executive Steve Murrells said: “The Co-op Food business continues to move forward with a clear momentum and purpose to deliver a compelling and convenient shopping experience for our millions of customers and members.

“Today’s announcement is completely in line with our strategy, as these stores did not allow us to provide a sufficiently compelling own-brand offer for our members going forwards.

“The proceeds will be re-invested to drive sustainable growth for our members and I’m delighted that all 3,808 colleagues will transfer to McColl’s on the same terms and conditions.”