Rochdale shoppers’ ideas lead to million pound makeover at Morrisons

Rochdale Morrisons loyal shopper Jackie Hirst cuts the ribbon with store manager Peter Matthews and staff

Rochdale’s Morrisons store has undergone a million pound makeover following suggestions put forward by shoppers and the store’s staff.

Morrisons quizzed shoppers on what changes would improve the Kingsway store for them and their families. The customer consultation sessions uncovered areas in need of investment including the customer cafe, access to the petrol station and store layout.

After listening to customers, the range of changes in store includes: 

• Relocation of the pharmacy from a separate unit outside the store to a convenient position within the main supermarket improving customer access to medical services
• New access layout to the petrol station and car park to improve the flow of traffic
• A simplified layout across the store with wider uncluttered aisles to suit families and busy shoppers
• A large Free From range specialising in gluten, wheat and dairy free products for customers with allergies to these products
• A modern makeover for the customer cafe with casual dining tables, soft seating areas, freshly ground coffee machines and a ‘Big Red Bus’ kids meal station.

Customers also asked for an extended World Foods range, access to free Wi-Fi and Amazon lockers to collect online orders, which have also been included in the new look store. Due to local demand, Kingsway will have a separate halal butcher counter which opens on 14 March.

The newly revamped Rochdale store opened its doors after four weeks of intensive works. The store’s most loyal customer, Jackie Hirst, had the honour of cutting the ribbon during a re-launch event. Ms Hirst has shopped at the store since it opened its doors in September 1990 and has been involved in charity collections at the store.

Store Manager Peter Matthews said: “I would like to thank customers for taking the time to tell us what we can do to help make their shopping trips a little bit smoother. This is a store which is now tailored to suit our local community and we will be playing a bigger part in our area over the coming months.”

Morrisons store staff also benefited from the revamp, with back of store areas including the staff canteen modernised to add comfy seating and mobile phone charging points for colleague break times. This follows a recent announcement by Morrisons that it is to spend £30m on improving staff facilities in its stores.