Two new Co-op stores launch

Two new Co-op stores launched on Friday 15th December to serve and support communities in Marleigh – a new neighbourhood in East Cambridge – and, a store which will operate as a Co-op franchise in the Radstone Fields community, also a new residential development, in Brackley, Northamptonshire.

The two new stores are both purpose-built 2,500 sq ft convenience stores, creating a combined 25 local jobs.

Designed to serve and support their communities, conveniently, both stores will include an in-store bakery, a Costa coffee express machine and, free cash machine (ATM) to provide access to cash in the community. This sits alongside a focus on fresh and healthy products; meal ideas; everyday essentials; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, chilled beers, and award-winning wines, ready meals, pizzas and free-from, vegan and plant-based products.

Marleigh’s Co-op also offers parcel collection services through DPD, and the online home delivery of groceries through Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats for added ease and convenience – groceries are picked fresh in the local store and delivered quickly to the community.

Soft plastic recycling units are available in the two stores to enable their community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers, and pet food pouches – ensuring all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable through either local authority kerbside collections, or the in-store soft plastic recycling.

Stephen Bastiani, Co-op’s Marleigh Store Manager, said: “The team is delighted to have launched Co-op’s newest store. Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life, and we’ve worked to develop the range, choice and added services to create a compelling offer to serve and support our community, conveniently.”

In August, Co-op announced its biggest ever single investment in pricing of £70 million, as it extended its ‘member-only’ pricing across everyday essentials. The convenience retailer launched the price investment with a list of nearly 200 fixed lines.

Mihir Patel, Store Manager in Radstone Fields, said: “The purpose-built new store has a great look, and we are delighted to launch to serve and support the community in time for Christmas, with a focus on delivering member-value so that the people who own our business, Co-op’s member-owners, benefit every time they shop.”

The Marleigh community is a new residential neighbourhood in East Cambridge which has been delivered in joint venture partnership by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group and Marshall Group.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director, The Hill Group, said: “We have taken great care to design a community square that will serve as the ‘heart of Marleigh’, so we are delighted to be celebrating the official opening of the Co-op here today. Jubilee Square, thriving with a school, children’s nursery, community centre, and R3form Pilates, contributes to the delightful village atmosphere at Marleigh. The upcoming opening of the authentic Italian deli Signorelli’s will further enhance the community feel of the development. The addition of this first-class amenity is going to make a great difference to the lives of our residents and I am confident that it will add value to the flourishing community spirit that is evident here at Marleigh.”

Richard Howe, Managing Director, Marshall Group Properties, said: “We’re proud to continue to develop a sustainable community of contemporary homes in a vibrant, thriving community surrounded by green open spaces. The official opening of the Co-op today marks another significant milestone that ensures hundreds of happy residents can enjoy their new homes and community on the east side of Cambridge.”

This month has also seen Co-op launch a new franchise store in Charfield (Gloucestershire) and, relaunch two stores which had both received major makeovers, in Larkhall (South Lanarkshire) and, Malvern Link (Worcestershire).

The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives. Its Members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation, enjoying a wide number of benefits, including member-only pricing across everyday essentials and personalised offers via the Co-op Membership app.