MANCHESTER, UK, 2017-Oct-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is investing almost £3.5M in its North Wales stores this autumn to re-develop and transform four sites during a seven week programme of works creating around a dozen new retail jobs.
The community retailer – which last month scooped Convenience Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards – will see its store in Mostyn Avenue, Craig-y-Don, re-open on Friday, 27, October, following a £350,000, four week, programme of works including a new layout, flooring and energy efficient refrigeration. This follows a new-look for its Johnstown, Wrexham, store – which, located on Ruabon Road, received an £800,000 makeover and relaunched earlier this month (October).
The petrol filling station located in Rhyl Road, Rhuddlan, is currently closed for a £1.7M investment to overhaul the forecourt with replacement infrastructure and tanks, at the same time, the store and warehouse will extend to enable the Co-op to better serve the community – the filling station and store is expected to re-open on 23 November.
While the Co-op in Ffordd Elan, Rhyl, has closed for a £600,000 extension. More than doubling in size, the new-look store will include an enhanced in-store bakery, Costa coffee dispenser and extended range, with all of the Co-op’s offering a focus on fresh healthy foods, a commitment to selling only 100% own-branded fresh British meat, award winning wines, meal ideas and, essentials.
A Co-op pop-up shop will operate at the Rhyl store, offering more than 100 lines of everyday essential – including bacon, bread and milk – everyday between 8 am-6 pm until the new-look enlarged store re-launches at the end of November.
All of the stores bring a funding boost for local good causes through the Co-op’s Membership scheme – where Members receive a 5% reward when they swipe their card when buying own-branded products, and the Co-op donates a further 1% to local good causes.
Earlier this year (April), approaching 300 good causes in Wales shared more than £500,000 through the Co-op’s Membership scheme. With a similar number set to benefit next month (November).
Good causes benefitting from the Membership scheme have included: Deganwy Playgroup; Age Concern North Wales; Home Start Conwy; Crag Y Don Playgroup; Ruthin Community Nurses Support Group; North Clwyd Animal Rescue; 3rd Prestatyn Scout Group; Rotary Club of Wrexham, and Rhyl Silver Band.
Mike Pengelly, Regional Manager for the Co-op in Wales, said: “We are delighted to have undertaken such a significant investment programme in North Wales – the investment will enable us to better serve our communities, creating employment opportunities while enabling our local Welsh suppliers to reach wider markets. The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum. Our ambition is to ensure each of our stores is a local hub, a real asset for the community.
“We also want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their local Co-op. and have a say in how the organisation is run. And, that we are also giving back to the community. Our members also make a difference locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they are raising much needed funding for organisations in their area who contribute to improving local life.”
There are offers and promotions in and around the newly launched stores. And students in North Wales holding the NUS extra card receive a 10% discount off their groceries at the Co-op to support them during their studies.
Further information about the benefits of Co-op membership and, its Local Community Fund, is available by visiting: http://www.coop.co.uk/membership/
Further information:
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk
Source: Co-op