Central England Co-op outlines plans for new stores and new jobs as part of multi-million investment in 2019
Central England Co-op has outlined an ambitious investment plan to open over 10 new Food Stores and Funeral Homes and revamp dozens more throughout 2019.
New sites will be launched across the country in a move that will create and secure hundreds of jobs as part of a multi-million pound project.
New and revamped Food Stores and Funeral Homes are currently planned for Stafford, Lichfield, Nottingham, Norfolk, Suffolk, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire and Derbyshire.
Several other stores and homes across a wide range of towns and cities will also be given a major makeover as part of the plans including in Northamptonshire and the West Midlands.
Martyn Cheatle, Chief Executive of Central England Co-op, said: "We are really proud of the success of our business, especially with our continued good performance in what is a highly competitive and increasingly uncertain trading environment.
"We want to continue with that success and this is why we are committed to an ambitious growth and investment strategy during the next 12 months.
"We are now in the process of getting ready to open and revamp dozens of Food Stores and Funeral Homes and we cannot wait to welcome colleagues, members and shoppers, both old and new, into them for the first time during 2019."
As a result of the changes, customers and members will be able to enjoy everything from everyday necessities to something a little more special alongside a range of community benefits. The new and revamped food sites will feature upgraded fixtures and fittings including the latest in pioneering new energy-efficient refrigeration technologies to minimise environmental impact and LED lighting as well as great products, free parking, cash machines, a lifesaving defibrillator and food banks to support people across the local area.
The funeral homes will offer a vastly superior look and feel for families.
News of this investment comes after, in 2018, the Society opened 10 new Food Stores and six new Funeral Homes as well as relaunching 22 funeral sites and 30 convenience stores.
The major development programme has seen individual areas such as Derbyshire receive over £4 million, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham and the West Midlands receive over £1 million each and Yorkshire benefit from an investment of £700,000.
This major development programme resulted in an investment of over £13.4 million, creating dozens of new jobs.
Central England Co-op customers can keep up to date with details of new and revamped stores and homes opening by visiting https://www.centralengland.coop/