The Co-op Group opened its newest food store in Manchester city centre today (23 August) following a £660,000 investment, creating 15 new jobs.
Located within Progressive Living Developments’ new North Central development on Angel Street, the store was opened by representatives of Mustard Tree, the Manchester charity tackling poverty and homelessness. The new store will provide support and fund raising for the charity.
The store also brings a funding boost locally through Co-op’s Membership scheme – members receive a 5% reward on the purchase of own-brand products and services, with Co-op donating a further 1% to causes.
Groups in the area currently benefiting include Citizens Advice Manchester, Manchester Cares, and Back on Track – with Co-op members able to choose which group they would like to support online.
The store offers a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy foods, meal ideas, ready-to-go hot food, award-winning wines and essentials along with an in-store bakery, Costa Coffee machine, self-scan tills, and paypoint.
It brings the number of Co-ops in Greater Manchester to 42, and follows recent store openings in Salford Quays, Piccadilly, Spinningfields, Vimto Gardens and Oxford Road.
Dan Wood, Area Manager for the Co-op, said: “The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum, and our ambition is to ensure the store is a local hub for people living in the area. It has our new look and range and the Manager, Suzanne Ashurst, and team look forward to welcoming customers and to serving the community.
“We also want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op. Our members make a difference locally and simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us, they are raising much needed funding for organisations who contribute to improving local life.”
David Fairclough, director at Progressive Living Developments, said: “The new store opening marks the completion of our entire North Central property which includes 64 one and two bedroom apartments alongside a basement car park. We are very pleased to have secured a leading retailer such as Co-op for the ground floor retail space as we know it will help to bring the development to life and establish a real community feel for our residents and the wider NOMA district.”
Further information about the benefits of Co-op membership and, its Local Community Fund, is available by visiting: http://www.coop.co.uk/membership/
