Cottam Primary School pupils help to launch new Co-op store

November 26, 2021. The opening of the new Co-op store in Cottam, near Preston. Children from Cottam Primary School perform the ribbon cutting with, from the left, Christine Abram (Chair of Lea and Cottam Parish Council), Jordan Taylor (store manager), Cllr Trevor Hart (Cottam Primary School governer), and Kellie Rainford (Headteacher of Cottam Primary School).

Children from Cottam Primary School helped to launch Cottam’s new Co-op.

The youngsters helped to cut the ribbon and launch the new store on Friday, November 26.

The shop, which has created 15 jobs locally, is powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and will open between 7am and 10pm every day.

Located in Merry Trees Lane, Cottam, the new Co-op includes customer car parking, a bakery, free ATM and Fairtrade coffee dispenser, alongside a focus on fresh, healthy products, meal ideas, food-to-go, award winning wines, ready meals and pizzas, free-from, vegan and plant-based products and, everyday essentials.

Compostable carriers are also available instead of single-use plastic bags for shoppers who forget their reusable bags.

Amazon Locker parcel collection is also being made available at the new Co-op store.

A funding boost is provided locally through Co-op’s Membership programme. Membership of the Co-op unlocks additional value through in-store offers, and sees Members rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products which is added to their own personal Membership account balance. The Co-op also donates the same amount to local causes.

Students in Lancashire who are TOTUM cardholders – the new name for NUS extra – also receive a 10% discount at the Co-op.

The Co-op also includes a recycle unit for ‘soft plastics’ which ensures all of Co-op’s own food packing is easy-to-recycle either via kerbside collection at home, or through this accessible disposal route for materials which are unlikely to be collected by UK councils – including: crisp packets, bread bags, single-use carrier bags and bags-for-life, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and pet-food pouches.

Jordan Taylor, Co-op Store Manager, said: “We have had a great response, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to launch Co-op’s newest store – we are really looking forward to serving the community.

“We have worked to develop the range, choice, products and parcel collection services to create a really compelling offer to serve the community, conveniently.”

Have you been to Cottam’s new Co-op yet? Let us know in the comments below.