New £550,000 Co-op store set to open in Bourne

A new Co-op food store will open in Bourne next week following an investment of more than £550,000.

The new store on the Elsea Park estate will open on Thursday and will have an in-store bakery and a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, hot food and essentials. It will open between 7am-11pm and will also offer an ATM, car parking and Costa coffee.

The new store has also created 20 new jobs.

Manager of the new store Gavin Pearson said: “The Co-op is committed to transforming and growing its convenience business and we are delighted to be making such a significant investment in Bourne – the store will look great and it really is an exciting time for the whole team.

“As a community retailer, and a co-operative, our aim is to establish the store as a community hub, playing a real part in local life and delivering a compelling and convenient shopping experience locally.”

Quinton Hill-Lines, of Newcrest – a leading developer of local and neighbourhood retail centres, added: “Newcrest are pleased to have delivered a brand new convenience store for the Co-op to serve the local community.

“Newcrest have worked closely with the Elsea Park Community Trust to ensure the new local shops are relevant to their local community. In doing so we have erected a community notice board on behalf of the Trust prominently on the site so customers and residents can be informed of local activities and we are confident that the new store will become a real asset to the community.”

The appointment of a Community Pioneer will also underpin the Co-op’s commitment to making a difference in the local community – a Community Pioneer is a member of the food store team who will also work to foster involvement in community activities, such as local fundraising initiatives and working with charities, schools and voluntary organisations to contribute to local life. The first focus of the store’s community support will be the Picnic in the Park in Elsea Park.

There will be offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its launch.

l Work has started on constructing a new Aldi store in Oakham.

The plans for the discount food store off Lands’ End Way and close to the bypass, were initially approved in October 2014.

But following the decision by Sainsbury’s not to build in the town and in response to the significant demand for a new store in Oakham, Aldi submitted a revised application.

The updated plans were approved in February this year and will provide an Aldi food store around 2o per cent larger than the original proposal, with a more spacious layout and wider aisles.

The new store will open before the end of the year, creating 40 full and part-time jobs.