New Midlands stores on course

MIDLANDS Co-op expect to open two new-build supermarkets in Yardley, Birmingham, and Stafford before Christmas.
Construction work at both sites is on schedule and the two 11,000 sq ft stores ? being built at a total cost of &#163 8 million ? are set to open in November and December respectively.
In the meantime, Midlands Co-op has announced that Simon Lee has been appointed as manager of the new Stafford store with David Field taking on the role in Yardley.
Simon, 36, (pictured at the Stafford site) started his career as a manager designate at the Uttoxeter Co-op foodstore and later managed the society&#039s Stone Road foodstore in Stafford before moving on to similar roles at manager at Eccleshall and Rising Brook.
David, 37, has worked for Midlands Co-op for 20 years and has been appointed to run the 11,000 sq ft, &#163 3 million Yardley store. He has held a number of senior positions in his time with the society and currently manages the Midlands Co-op foodstore on Dibdale Road in Dudley.
Simon and David are now preparing to take on the new supermarkets with recruitment and training being the first job followed by overseeing the latter part of the build programme as the final touches are made to the stores.