Central England Co-operative has spent £500,000 on three new-look food stores in Yorkshire in a link-up with Wooldale Co-operative.
The major investment in the county saw former Wooldale stores revamped in Wooldale Road, Holmfirth; Holmfirth Road, New Mill; and Springwood Road, Thongsbridge.
The upgrades, which include pioneering energy-efficient refrigeration technologies and LED lighting, come after the two societies decided to join forces to strengthen the local offering for Wooldale Co-operative customers and members.
Wooldale has a long history in the area, stretching back over 130 years, and 40 colleagues across its three Food Stores have been transferred to Central England.
The opening day event saw dozens of customers queue outside for a golden ticket giveaway, which saw 100 shoppers walk away with everything from a 50-inch TV and a barbecue to Co-operative gift vouchers and Irresistible Fairtrade chocolate bars.
Pupils from nearby Wooldale Junior School were on hand as special guests to cut the ribbon and announce the store officially open.
Ian Booth, store manager at New Mill, said: “Our team were so excited to finally allow our members and customers to see our new-look store.”
Thongsbridge store manager Simon Robert added: “The store looks fantastic and already customers have been making many positive comments about how it looks and the different products and services now available.”
Michael Holmes, Holmfirth store manager, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank customers for their patience during the revamp. We hope everyone will enjoy the store as much as we do.
“All of us at the three new Co-operative food stores are proud to be part of such a great community and are looking forward to welcoming customers, new and old, to come and enjoy our food store.”
