Co-operative completes major investment in Paddington Store
The Co-operative is investing making a substantial investment in Paddington to convert and transform the Somerfield store on Harrow Road to a Co-operative. It will bring a new era in food shopping to the community, create new jobs and secure the existing 60 jobs.
The store will be among the first in England to convert to a Co-operative following The Co-operative Group’s £1.56 billion acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain.
It also marks the beginning of a two-year rebranding programme which will see all the Somerfield branches convert to Co-operatives and feature The Co-operative Group’s new brand identity, which aims to highlight its commitment to supporting local communities and ethical trading policies, as well as improved service standards across its 4,900 outlets in the UK, including its travel, pharmacy, funerals and bank branches.
We are proud to serve the local community and this substantial investment in the store means we can provide a much enhanced service
The finished new look of the Harrow Road store will be revealed on Thursday, 30 July, when a ribbon cutting ceremony will be performed by Scouts from the 3rd Paddington troop who will receive a donation of £500 for their district Scout Group.
There will also be lots of in-store activity on launch day and over the weekend, including cookery demonstrations and product tastings, as well as giveaways. On Saturday,
1 August, a face painter and balloon modeller will entertain children. In addition, there will be special opening offers which will continue every week for six weeks.
Store manager Shailesh Patel said: “We are proud to serve the local community and this substantial investment in the store means we can provide a much enhanced service. I am sure customers will welcome the changes and the benefits shopping at The Co-operative brings, including our ethical trading policies which underpin our product ranges; thousands of price reductions across the store and our cash back dividend scheme.
“We will meet all the community’s daily food shopping needs and, in the best traditions of The Co-operative, make our contribution to community life.”
As well as its smart new look and more spacious, shopper friendly layout, the store will feature enhanced and new product ranges, with an emphasis on fresh foods, including the consumer-owned retailer’s large Fairtrade range, as well as its Healthy Living, Simply Value and premium Truly Irresistible ranges.
The store will offer substantial savings on at least five fresh fruit and veg products every month to encourage customers to eat their ‘five a day’ and, at The Co-operative Bakery, the wide selection of in-store baked breads and pastries is free from hydrogenated fat.
Shoppers will welcome The Co-operative’s share of profits dividend scheme, which offers customer members cash back on their trade with the Group’s businesses. Members can choose to keep the cash or donate all or part of their share to local worthy causes. Last year, The Co-operative paid out more than £37 million to members and over £1 million to local community groups.
Membership of The Co-operative Group, which costs just £1, offers a range of benefits including a say in how stores are run and the opportunity to support The Co-operative’s campaigns on issues such as climate change and social inclusion.