Central England Co-op has outlined an ambitious investment plan to open nine new Food Stores and to revamp 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 are currently planned for Stafford, Lichfield, Nottingham, Norfolk, Suffolk, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire and Derbyshire.
Several other stores 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, 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 many Food Stores and we cannot wait to welcome colleagues, members and shoppers, both old and new, into them for the first time during 2019.”
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.
News of this investment comes after, in 2018, the Society opened 10 new Food Stores as well as relaunching 30 convenience stores.