Pupils launch new look Co-op

Children from St Vincent's Primary School were guests of honour at the re-launch of The Co-op in Cutgate Shopping Centre following the store’s £350,000 makeover.

The pupil’s cut the ribbon and helped the store team to declare the new-look Co-op open for the community. They were joined by Matthew Speight, The Co-op’s Divisional Managing Director, and representatives from The Rochdale Pioneers Museum and, The Co-operative Membership.

The major makeover has seen a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials. The store has an enhanced in-store bakery and, new refrigeration to extend its range of chilled produce, meat, dairy and, chilled beers and wines. Eight new jobs have been created seen the store has increased its opening hours to 6am-11pm, seven days a week.

The store will also launch its Community Pioneer role, where a member of the food store team, Ros Barrow, will also work to foster involvement in community activities, from local fundraising initiatives to helping to understand and develop solutions to meet community needs including support for the British Red Cross, The Co-op’s new charity partnership which will help to tackle social isolation and loneliness in communities

Dave Naylor, Manager of the Rochdale Co-op food store, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new into our new-look store. Rochdale holds such significance for The Co-op and, the world-wide co-operative movement, and so we are thrilled to have made such a significant investment in our Cutgate Shopping Centre store. The store is looking fantastic and, it really is an exciting time for the team.

"We are confident that the new-look store will be a real asset to the community, enabling shoppers to pick up delicious food conveniently and, as a community retailer and a co-operative, it will play its part in local life too.”

There will be offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its re-launch.