New look Co-op to open

7:42am Wednesday 20th February 2008

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The Co-op food store in Blackpool's Coronation Street will unveil a smart new look tomorrow following the completion of a £450,000 revamp which has created two new jobs.

It will feature the consumer-owned Co-operative Group's new identity, The co-operative, which aims to highlight improved service standards across its 4,500 outlets in the UK, including its travel, pharmacy, funerals and bank branches, as well as its commitment to supporting local communities and ethical trading policies.

Local youngster Joshua Smith will perform the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

The store is being transformed with modern décor, increased shopping space, the addition of an extra till and a more shopper-friendly layout.

It will also benefit from new flooring and lighting and eco-friendly refrigeration.

The emphasis will be on fresh foods, with double the range of fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, and there will also be a wider selection of chilled beers and wines.

Popular services including lottery, paypoint and the cashpoint will be retained.

As the leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade, The co-operative's popular Fairtrade products will feature and the store will carry the retailer's own health and beauty range with products that are not tested on animals.

Shoppers could also benefit from The co-operative's policy on honest labelling which gives the full facts about its food and drink products, while customers can carry shopping home in 100 percent degradable bags.

The Co-operative Group also gives its customer members a share* of its profits in cash.

Members can choose to keep the twice-yearly payouts or donate all or part of them to local worthy causes.

"We provide a much valued service for the local area and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods which will better meet all their daily grocery needs," said manager Lynne Brough.

The refurbished store will open at 7am followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am.