A NEW £2.1 million food store has opened in a former Hockley Heath swimming pool showroom.
It is the 35th food store to be opened by The Heart of England Co-operative Society – and the company’s highest investment in a convenience store.
As well as groceries there is a selection of hot and cold Food to Go, Costa Coffee, Rollover hot dogs, Tango Ice Blast, Slush Puppie, freshly squeezed orange juice, an extensive range of fresh food, a wide selection of wines and spirits, and cakes sourced from Alcester-based Fatherson Bakery.
Steve Browne, general manager of the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Food Division, said: “We are delighted to welcome customers into our new store in Hockley Heath.
“We have carefully planned the store to give all our customers the ultimate experience in convenience shopping.
“Our design includes wide aisles and upright displays of many of our food products such as fresh pizzas, giving them a clear layout and adding appeal for shoppers.
“The shelves are laid out so that the stock is all to hand and within easy reach.
“We are delighted with the way the store has shaped up and already are receiving excellent feedback from customers.”
The opening of this new store has resulted in the recruitment and training of 12 new members of staff for the Society, which traces its history back to 1832 when its first shop opened in Coventry. Steve said every new recruit has received extensive training in the months leading up to the store opening of the store, and all new members of staff will be offered regular training opportunities going forward as the Society seeks to maintain its high standards of customer service.
It is part of a £12 million programme of investments – last week the Society opened a £1.8 million store in Burbage, Leicestershire. And in August it unveiled a £1.8 million store in the Holbrooks area of Coventry – its seventh store in the city.
