The Co-op is continuing its strategy of investing heavily in creating new food stores after opening a new £1.7 million outlet in Derbyshire.
At the start of this year, the organisation revealed plans to open 100 new food stores during 2019 and provide major make-overs for a further 200 outlets as part of a £200 million store investment programme.
In Derbyshire, the Co-op has just opened the doors to its latest brand new food store in Openwoodgate, Belper, which has created 20 new jobs.
Based in Sandbed Lane, the new outlet stocks a range of fresh and frozen products and is fitted out with energy efficient refrigeration technologies to minimise environmental impact, LED lighting and a lifesaving defibrillator.
The store also includes a free water refill station and a public use bicycle repair station.
To open the outlet, Co-op staff and Central England Co-op president Elaine Dean were joined by children and staff from neighbouring Openwoodgate Pre-School.
The children produced a special piece of artwork celebrating the town’s famous Belper Mill and River Gardens, which is now featured on the outside of the new store.
Store manager Angela Allwood said: “It was fantastic to be able to welcome Openwoodgate Pre-School to be our guests of honour at the opening of our brand new store and to see their fantastic artwork recreated on the store.
“All of us here at Sandbed Lane are proud to be part of such a great community in Openwoodgate and are delighted to welcome everyone to come and enjoy our new store.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their patience. It has been long-awaited, but hopefully everyone will enjoy the store as much as we do.”
