Co-Op says it has had “a great response” since its new food store opened in Banks near Southport.
The shop, on the site of the former New Fleetwood pub on Hoole Lane, has seen the creation of 15 new jobs.
The convenience retailer’s new 2,800 sq ft venue opens between 7am-10pm from Monday-Saturday and 8am-10pm on Sundays.
Co-Op has also teamed-up with InstaVolt which has installed a rapid electric vehicle charging point on the store’s car park, the charger is capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in as little as 15 minutes with the service selected to closely fit the dwell time for a vehicle when shoppers pop into a convenience store.
Picture shows manager Helen Faichney, centre, with staff members L-R: Michelle Povey, Rachel Brown, Linda Johnson, Michelle Hopgood, Allison Foy, Lianne MacDonald and Molly Pendleton
The new Co-Op new store is more than 1,000 sq ft larger than its previous store in the village, with enhanced range and a bigger back-of-shop warehouse facility to better serve the community. The convenience store includes increased customer car parking with up to 15 spaces, a free ATM; Fairtrade coffee dispenser – known as Ever Ground; hot food and bakery alongside a focus on fresh, healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials; food-to-go; chilled beers and award winning wines; ready meals and pizzas and, free-from; vegan and plant-based products – including Co-op’s exclusive vegan range, GRO.
An Amazon Locker is available for convenient parcel collection, while self-service tills are included for added ease and speed.
A funding boost is provided locally through Co-Op’s Membership programme. Membership of Co-op unlocks additional value through in-store offers, and sees Members rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products which is added to their own personal Membership account balance. In addition, Co-Op also donates the same amount to local causes, charities and community organisations.
Co-Op’s award-winning soft plastic recycle unit is also available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including: crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yoghurt pots, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches – packaging that may not yet be accepted in household recycling collections. This means that all Co-Op’s own food packaging is recyclable.
Students in Banks who are TOTUM cardholders – the new name for NUS extra – also receive a 10% discount off groceries at Co-Op.
Helen Faichney, Co-op’s Store Manager, said: “We have had a great response – we are delighted to have the opportunity to launch Co-Op’s newest store, and we are really looking forward to welcoming the community into their new Co-Op. The store has a great look and feel. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and we have worked to develop the range, choice, products and added services to create a really compelling offer to serve the community with Co-op’s quality and value, conveniently.”
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