Hastings’ has a place in Co-op’s plans for expansion

September 4, 2020September 6, 2020

A prominent Hastings site is included in ambitious plans the Co-op has unveiled to open more than three stores each week until December.

Parkstone Parade, just off Parkstone road and close to the Ark Alexandra Academy, has been chosen by the convenience retailer to be the site of one of its new stores. Nationally the plans by the Co-op are expected to create 1,000 jobs and this follows on from the creation of more than 1,000 permanent roles created to keep communities fed during lockdown.

All new Co-op stores run on 100 per cent renewable electricity.

This month also sees the Co-op’s partnership with John Lewis Click & Collect service exceed 500 Co-op stores, including the Co-op store at 45-47 Bohemia Road. Co-op stores act as micro-distribution hubs for the John Lewis online on-demand convenience offer, with stores benefitting from an uptick in increased online demand by up to 10-15 per cent.

The old Parkstone Local shop will soon be rebranded and operating as a branch of the Co-op.

The Co-op say they are now the most widely available supermarket on the Deliveroo App with more than 400 stores making deliveries in as little as 30 minutes. It has expanded its own online shop (coop.co.uk/shop) at pace, and offers a click and collect service in as little as two hours to provide a quick, safe and easy shop locally where customers can be in and out conveniently.

David Roberts, managing director, Co-op Property, said: “Co-op works to operate at the heart of local life, making a difference in its communities.

“We continually look for new locations, sites which are definitively convenient in their community – closer to our members and customers with proximity shopping a key consumer consideration.

“Co-operation is a fundamental part of our DNA, and through our partnership approach we are enriching our offer to make convenience truly compelling in our communities.”

Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “This commitment to investing in stores in the coming months is testament to the importance of the convenience sector and the role that local shops play in people’s everyday lives.”