Central England Co-op has officially opened its new store in Stowupland, Suffolk – creating 20 new jobs and investing £1.4m in the area.
To mark the opening, colleagues were joined by the Vice Chairman of Mid Suffolk District Council Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE and Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson to cut the ribbon and declare the store open for business.
They were also joined by representatives from Stowmarket & Area Food Bank to accept a donation from Store Manager Anna Alfredson, who has worked at Central England Co-op for 18 years since leaving school, working her way up from Customer Services Assistant to Store Manager.
The Food Store, which is based in Thorney Green, offers shoppers an expansive range of products and is fitted out with pioneering new energy efficient refrigeration technologies to minimise environmental impact, LED lighting and a lifesaving defibrillator.
It has been built next to the pre-existing Petrol Filling Station run by the retailer, which has also received a makeover as part of the works.
To mark the opening, colleagues were joined by the Vice Chairman of Mid Suffolk District Council Councillor Barry Humphreys MBE and Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson to cut the ribbon and declare the store open for business.
Store Manager Anna Alfredson said, “My team and I were so excited to finally allow our members and customers to see our new store. We are all from the local area – I live in Rickinghall and have worked at this site for 18 months, having previously been Store Manager at our Food Store in Eye for 12 years.
“The new store looks fantastic and already customers have been making many positive comments about how it looks and the different products and services now available.
“All of us here at Stowupland Food Store are proud to be part of such a great community and are looking forward to welcoming all customers, old and new, to come and enjoy our new store.”
The Stowupland Co-operative Food Store is open from 6am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.
The store offer includes fresh and local fruit and vegetables, an in-store bakery offering breads and pastries, chilled beers and wines, fresh and frozen product, Irresistible product ranges, and a great selection of food to go.
Customers will also be able to support local good causes as specialist collection points have been installed for Stowmarket & Area Food Bank.