Children from Great Wood and, St Thomas’ Primary Schools, helped to cut the ribbon and declare the new 2,600 sq ft store – which is more than twice the size of the former Co-op store in the village – open to serve the community.
The new Co-op supports up to 16 local jobs, and opens between 7am-10pm daily. It includes customer car parking; a free ATM to provide access to cash in the community, in-store bakery and, Costa coffee express which sits alongside an increased focus and range of fresh, healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials; hot food; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, chilled beers and award winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from; vegan and plant-based products – including Co-op’s exclusive vegan range, GRO.
A funding boost is provided locally through Co-op’s Membership programme. Membership of Co-op unlocks additional value through in-store exclusive Member offers and deals. In addition, Members are rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products which is added to their own personal Membership account balance, and Co-op also donates the same amount to local causes and, community organisations – so, Members can make a difference simply by choosing Co-op own branded products.
Parcel collection through Amazon Lockers and, the Click and Collect of groceries via Co-op’s own online shop – shop.coop.co.uk – are available for added ease and convenience.
Scott Cadman, Co-op Store Manager, said: “We have had a great response – we are delighted to have the opportunity to launch Co-op’s newest store, and really looking forward to welcoming the community into their new Co-op. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and we have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a really compelling offer to serve the community, conveniently.”
Students who are TOTUM cardholders – the new name for NUS extra – receive a 10% discount off groceries at Co-op.
A soft plastic recycle unit is also available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including: crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches. This means that all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable through either local authority kerbside collections, or its in-store soft plastic recycling unit.
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, it is owned by Millions of UK consumers and alongside Food, it operates Funeralcare; Insurance and Legal Services.
