New £1.4m food store open for business

Shoppers will be able to stock up while helping local producers and fundraising for good causes, thanks to a new Lincolnshire Co-op food store in Scawby which opened today.

The outlet on West Street in Scawby, has created 15 full and part-time roles for the area.

It offers a wide range of chilled, fresh and frozen goods including the Society’s Love Local range, featuring meat from Uncle Henry’s Farm in Grayingham and curry pastes from Scunthorpe-based Mr Huda’s.

Customers can sign up to become Lincolnshire Co-op members. When they shop using their dividend card, a donation goes to a local charity through the Community Champions fundraising scheme. Currently, it’s the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

A new Co2 heat-reclamation fridge system has been installed at the store. It recycles heat produced by the refrigeration process back into the store that would usually be wasted, it uses carbon dioxide – which has a lower global-warming impact than traditional chemical gasses used in the process. It is the first of its kind to be added in a Lincolnshire Co-op outlet.

Outside the store, there’s a 32-space car park and a number of facilities for community use, like a bench, bird table and two wooden raised beds which will be planted with herbs including basil, garlic and rosemary.

Instead of traditional shrubbery, the landscaping at the site aims features a selection of wildlife-friendly plants including lavender, choisya bushes, ground roses and buddleja – known as the butterfly bush.

An official opening ceremony was held on Thursday 18th April with three local causes each receiving £500 as part of the celebrations.

Store Manager Chris Wray said: “The team were waiting and watching while the store was being built and we’re delighted to open the doors and welcome everyone in. We hope lots of people pop in to say hello and take a look around.

“We’re also pleased to be looking after the environment, both with our innovative heat-reclamation system and the wildlife-friendly planting outside the store.”