New store announcement

Lincolnshire Co-op is set to acquire a convenience store in Donington, offering a range of valued services to the local community.

The society will take over the running of the Co-op Group store in Donington’s Market Place in mid-November with the two co-operative societies working together to ensure no jobs are at risk. Until then, it will continue to run as a Co-op Group store.

The store will temporarily close in November for just under two weeks while Lincolnshire Co-op invests £100,000 in a rebrand and refit, which will include introducing its Love Local range, freshly baked bread from Gadsby’s bakery, food to go including Costa Coffee Express and an extensive range of chilled meal options, beers and wines, fruit and veg and groceries.

Lincolnshire Co-op is an independent co-operative, trading mainly in Greater Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and surrounding counties. It has a Support Centre in Lincoln.

Both co-operatives are part of the same co-operative buying group, sharing own-brand products, but they are separate businesses with a different community support programme, trading model, dividend card and membership structure.

Lincolnshire Co-op runs the pharmacy in Donington, and other nearby services including a food store and pharmacy in Swineshead, a pharmacy in Kirton, and a food store and post office in Gosberton, alongside a range of outlets in Boston and Spalding.

It has around 3,000 existing dividend card holders in the Donington area and residents are being encouraged to become members so they can benefit from cashback when they shop.

Lincolnshire Co-op has a wide-ranging community support programme. In the local area it supports two volunteer-run Wellbeing Walks in Donington and Gosberton, providing local people with an opportunity to get gentle exercise and socialise.

Through its Community Champions fundraising – which makes a donation to local good causes every time a dividend card holder shops – the society has supported a range of charities and groups including primary school breakfast clubs in Quadring and Gosberton, Gosberton Community Handbell Choir, the Majoram Beehive Association and the Young Dons Football Club, among others.

Chief Operating Officer Steve Leach said: ““This will be our 101st food store and we’re looking forward to opening the doors to the community and welcoming the team to Lincolnshire Co-op.

“We’re excited to introduce more people in Donington and the surrounding areas to Lincolnshire Co-op, including our Love Local products, exclusive member offers and strong community connections.”