Central England Co-operative officially opens its new store in Ashbourne following an investment of £1.2 million and the creation of 22 new jobs
Posted by rob smyth | Published: 26/10/2018
Central England Co-op has officially opened its new store in Ashbourne – creating 22 new jobs and investing £1.2 million in the area.
The Food Store, which is based in Blenheim Road, offer 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.
To mark the opening, pupils from Ashbourne Hilltop School came along to cut the ribbon and declare the store open for business.
They were also joined by representatives from The ARK Rescue and Rehoming Centre to accept a donation from Store Manager Ben Wingfield.
Ben said: “Our team were so excited to finally allow our members and customers to see our new store.
“The store looks fantastic and already customers have been making many positive comments about how it looks and the different products and services now available.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank customers for their patience. It has been long-awaited, but hopefully everyone will enjoy the store as much as we do.
“All of us here at Ashbourne Food Store 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 food store.”
The Ashbourne Co-operative Food Store is open from 7am – 10pm every day. The store offers a wide range of products from everyday necessities to something a little more special.
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.
Central England Co-op can also reveal that it has teamed up with local suppliers - Derby Brewing Company and The Bakewell Bakery – and will be stocking a variety of items in the new store.
It also offers NUS extra, Paypoint, Collect Plus, foreign currency, a free car park, a free cash machine and a lifesaving defibrillator.
Customers will also be able to support local good causes as specialist collection points have been installed for Ashbourne Food Bank and a pet food bank for the ARK Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
Central England Co-op will continue to operate its Ashbourne Supermarket, based in the Shawcroft Centre, alongside its new Blenheim Road Food Store.
Notes to editors
Picture caption: Youngsters from Ashbourne Hilltop School and Store Manager Ben Wingfield cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new Ashbourne Food Store, in Blenheim Road.
Picture caption: Representatives from The ARK Rescue and Rehoming Centre accept a donation from Store Manager Ben Wingfield to mark the opening of the new Ashbourne Food Store, in Blenheim Road.
About Central England Co-operative
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK.
It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, and property.
The company’s funeral business consists of over 120 funeral homes across 16 counties, 9 florists, masonry production and administration, Bretby Crematorium and Terry Smiths coffin factory.
Central England Co-operative has more than 430 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
The Society has an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme for 2018.
Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility. It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence. The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.
Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.
Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop
For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, @mycooplife and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative
Rob Smyth at Central England Co-operative on 01543 414140
Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop