Midcounties starts the year with new store opening

The society has invested £620,000 into the Southmoor store

Midcounties Co-op is opening a new Your Co-op Food store  in Southmoor, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

The Faringdon Road store follows a Midcounties store opened in 2018, close by in the village of Kingston Bagpuize.

The society says the new store will boost the area’s economy, sourcing more than 260 locally sourced products and creating 15 new jobs, following a £620,000 investment.

Goods will include items from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire based producers such as Oxford Cheese Company, Hobbs House Bakery, Todenham Manor Farm and Jess’s Ladies dairy farm.

An in-store gin bar will stock an impressive range of spirits, including local award-winning Cotswolds Distillery Gin.

Eco-friendly features to the store include plastic waste recycling bins, compostable carrier bags and energy-efficient fridges.

Store manager Ryan Thomas said: “This is no ordinary store, it’s where quality, passion and great food come together.

“The team has been working hard to bring the best of local produce to the shelves, and we have an impressive range of artisan and locally made products for customers to enjoy.”

On its 6 February launch day, the store will give golden tickets to the first 100 customers through the doors, with the chance to win a variety of prizes from a luxury hamper to cash vouchers to spend in store.