Four Scottish Co-op stores opened their doors last week, located in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders; Brora and Fortrose in the Scottish Highlands; and Callander in Stirling.
The openings follow Co-op’s announcement last month that 50 new and refurbished stores would open before Christmas – including 10 in Scotland – as part of its ongoing investment in local retail and jobs.
A brand new store was served-up in Selkirk, with Co-op re-locating to a new, larger, location on the High Street to better serve and support the community.
Co-op Selkirk
Brora Co-op re-opened this week following an extensive programme of improvements to ‘transform’ the store. The Gower Street store – which supports 20 local jobs – opened with a new served-over counter from Inverness-based bakery Harry Gow, Costa Coffee Express and increased range of fresh and healthy products.
Brora Co-op
Located in Main Street, the Callandar community store re-launched with a brand new look, range and choice including a new hot food serve-over counter from Stephens Bakery.
The High Street Fortrose store also re-opened following five weeks of works and improvements.
Co-op Callander
Niki Hill, Co-op’s Selkirk Store Manager, enthused: “Our brand new store looks fantastic, and we have had a great response from our customers. We have enjoyed welcoming the community into their new co-op. We’re proud to be part of the local community, and we’re here to contribute to local life and conveniently serve and support the community.”
Co-op Fortrose
Daniel Simpson, a Co-op Area Operations Manager for stores in Brora and Fortrose, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in our communities. Our stores have a focus on being a hub locally for the community, delivering the quality, choice, value and added services which can be enjoyed by everyone. We’re focussed on contributing to local life and conveniently serving and supporting the community.”
All the stores have latest refrigeration which not only further cuts Co-op’s carbon footprint, but also enhances the store’s fresh, chilled and frozen range.
Coop Fortrose bakery
Young Scot cardholders receive a discount in Scottish stores and member price savings create additional value for Co-op members.
Added services in Co-op stores typically include parcel collection services, Costa coffee express; bakery and, the online home delivery of groceries – where orders are picked fresh and delivered quickly and conveniently locally. Other services include PayPoint; National Lottery and, free access to cash via ATM’s.
Coop Fortrose fruit and veg
Soft plastic recycling is also available in the stores, making it easier for shoppers to return and recycle materials such as crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches.
Coop Fortrose staff cut the ribbon