Central Co-op Arrives in Hertfordshire with new-look Sawbridgeworth Store
Posted by sam bishop | Published: 11/11/2022
Central Co-op has officially opened a new-look store in Sawbridgeworth following an £800,000 investment into the site of the former Budgens store.
The modern community store offers locals an expansive range of food and essentials on their doorstep, with an enhanced Food to Go section with hot food options, and a range of Fairtrade products.
Central Co-op arrives with its signature member specials and goodwill for its community - inviting residents of Sawbridgeworth and beyond to donate gifts to its popular Toy appeal, and also providing some generous Member Offers saving money on over 50 everyday essentials.
Sam Cooper, the store manager for Sawbridgeworth Central Co-op Food, said: “We are so pleased to be opening our brand-new store here for the community in Sawbridgeworth.”
“We are committed to being a pillar of the community and giving back to our valued customers, so will be organising many more events and initiatives for the store’s visitors soon. “
“Following a brief interruption during the refurbishment, we are also pleased to welcome back the Sawbobus terminus stop in our carpark as we know this is a vital and much-loved means of mobility for community members.”
The new community store was officially declared open by Sawbridgeworth mayor Greg Rattey. The store also features an Insomnia Coffee Shop, where visitors from the community can relax a with a delicious Fairtrade coffee or tea, which is free to Co-op Members on the opening day.
In line with the retailer’s sustainability goals, the store has been fitted with eco-friendly fridges, LED lighting, and a free water refill station so local people can stay hydrated.
Additionally, the store now benefits from additional parking spaces, self-service checkouts and new customer bathrooms including baby changing facilities. A food bank collection point has also been installed to help support the community with the increasing cost-of-living crisis and support Harlow Food Bank with their growing demand.
The store is now open from 07:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday. Shoppers will be able to purchase a wide range of products from everyday necessities to something a little more special. This includes fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled beers and wines, and fresh and frozen produce. Fresh pastries and bread will also be available from the in-store bakery. The store also offers Lottery, Paypoint and a free cash machine.
Shoppers visiting the Sawbridgeworth store can sign up to become a Central Co-op member to receive a range of special offers, join member groups and activities and help support the local community through the Society’s Community Dividend Fund. To join online visit https://membership.centralengland.coop/membership/join
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Central Co-op
Central Co-op is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK, with a heritage stretching back over 175 years and interests in food, funeral, floral and property investment.
Owned by hundreds of thousands of members, its 7,700 colleagues serve customers across 440 plus trading sites in 19 counties in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
Its purpose is to create a sustainable Society for all.
It actively campaigns for food justice and works with FareShare Midlands and a network of local food banks. It also adds £1 to every Healthy Start Voucher redeemed in store and supports six schools in partnership with Magic Breakfasts.
The Society embraces inclusivity and equality and is a signed-up member to the Business in the Community (BITC) Race at Work Charter. The Society is also a member of Diversity in Retail and it is fully committed to addressing the impacts of climate change by reducing carbon and food waste, increasing recycling and investment in community Sustainable Spaces funded by the carrier bag levy. It recently launched its Malawi Partnership to support farmers and producers in the country through the Co-operative International Trading Development Fund.
It invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities through its Community Dividend Fund scheme which has seen over £109,769.25 shared out between 121 good causes in 2022.
Press office contact: Sam Bishop, PR Specialist
Contact details:
sam.bishop@centralengland.coop
07385 048048