The Co-op Group has launched three new food food stores – in Saighton, Cheshire; Barking, east London; and Highgate, north London.
The Saighton store, on Sandy Lane, opened last Friday following a £480,000 investment creating up to 18 local jobs.
The purpose-built store opens between 6am-10pm daily and, runs on 100% renewable electricity.
Area manager David Kay said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to make such a significant investment.”
The Group also opened a store in Rivergate Square, Barking Riverside. Guests of honour at the launch included representatives from the King George and Queen’s Hospitals charity which received a £2,000 donation to support their work in the community as part of launch day activities.
The store opens 7am-11pm daily.
Store manager Ravi Sandaname said: “We have had a fantastic response – the store looks great and we are looking forward to serving our community.”
And the Group’s Highgate store, in the Archway, Junction Road, has opened following a £640,000 investment creating up to 20 local jobs. It opens between 7am-11pm daily and runs on 100% renewable electricity.
Store manager Dinesh Patel said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to make such a significant investment – we have had a great response.”
All three stores include an in-store bakery, Costa coffee and hot food alongside a focus on fresh, heathy produce, award winning wines, ready meals and pizzas, free-from and vegan products, Fairtrade, food-to-go and, everyday essentials.
The Group is reminding shoppers that its Community Shopping Card makes it easier for those self-isolating or who have been instructed to stay at home to shop and pay for their essentials . Cards can be purchased or topped-up by calling 0800 029 4592, enabling friends, families or volunteers to shop on their behalf in store.
And to help keep people safe during the Covid-19 crisis the contactless payment limit has been increased to £45.
All three stores run a Food Share scheme to minimise food waste and make a difference locally, working with local not-for-profit organisations to share food with those in need in the community.
The stores also support local causes through the Group’s membership scheme, where members receive a 5% reward on purchases of own brand products, and the retailer donates a further 1% to community causes.
