Food store re-opens after £250,000 refit

A NEW-look Co-operative food store has re-opened in Lovely Lane, Warrington, following a near £250,000 investment to transform the store for the community.
The major makeover and “conversion” into a new-format Co-op food store was celebrated by store colleagues and customers who were joined by Wolfie, the Warrington Wolves mascot and pupils from Bewsey Lodge Primary School who helped to cut the ribbon and declare the store re-open for the community.
Improvements in-store include a focus on fresh, healthy foods and essentials. It has an enhanced bakery section and new refrigeration to further improve its chilled and fresh produce offer.
The store has also launched a Community Pioneer role, where a member of the food store team, Joe Lomas, will also work to foster involvement in community activities, from local fundraising initiatives to helping to understand and develop solutions to meet community needs.
The store’s first community focus following its relaunch is its support for “Wolf it Up” – a programme by Warrington Wolves designed to equip families with the knowledge, skills and confidence to make positive changes to their lifestyle and to lead healthier and more active lives – including a chance to cook with a player at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Linda McSorley, manager of the new-look store, said: “The store has a fantastic new look and, it is an exciting time for the whole team – we are delighted to have made such a significant investment in Warrington.  “We are confident that the store will be a real asset to the community, enabling shoppers to pick up delicious food conveniently and, as a community retailer and a co-operative, it will play its part in local life too.”
There are offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its re-launch. Students – who hold a NUS extra card – receive a 10 per cent discount off their groceries in store. And the Co-op has also announced a £125 million investment in lowering the price of everyday essentials – a move which has seen it prune the price of more than 100 lines of fresh fruit and vegetables.