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Retailer invests £2m into local services
Lincolnshire Co-op customers are enjoying improvements to their local food stores and post offices, following a £2m investment in six outlets over the last six months.
This work is part of the co-operative's cyclical refresh programme, which will see work take place at different trading outlets every year, with approximately £4m being invested annually.
The programme started 18 months ago, and around £6m has already bee n invested into 39 outlets across food, pharmacy, funeral, travel and post offices.
As part of this, Billinghay Food Store and Post Office have benefitted from a £490,000 transformation, bringing a refreshed look and new products and services for customers.
Red Bull and frozen Coca-Cola machines have been installed, and new ranges have been introduced, including COOK frozen meals and Country Choice hot food.
The food store colleagues also have a brand-new staff room, and there’s now an in-store bakery unit where hot food can be cooked.
The society offers a Love Local range, which supports local businesses. Shoppers can find products like Lincolnshire Sausage Rolls from Pocklington’s Bakery in Louth and coffee beans from Lincoln Tea & Coffee.
A new ‘Your community shop’ fascia has been installed outside the food store, and customers can continue to use the pre-existing community unit to donate essential supplies to their local food bank, Sleaford Community Larder, and recycle soft plastics and batteries.
Energy efficient solutions have also been implemented in the outlet, like LED lighting upgrades, insulated door curtains in the warehouse refrigeration rooms, and CO2 refrigeration.
The post office has also benefitted from a renewed look, including new signage and shelving.
Hazel Blackbourn, Billinghay Food Store Manager, said: “We’re delighted with the refurbishment of the store and the services we’re now able to deliver, including hot food, and our customers are enjoying a range of new products, like COOK frozen meals.
“I can’t thank my team enough for their dedication during the refresh. Our store remained open, and colleagues took this in their stride and worked hard to continue to deliver exceptional customer service.”
During a cyclical refresh, services are reviewed and equipment is replaced, helping the business to strengthen customer satisfaction and loyalty with modernised outlets.
Andy Warman, Lincolnshire Co-op's Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer, said: “Refreshing our food stores ensures we’re meeting the needs of local communities by extending product ranges, providing new services and achieving even better customer service.
“We’re delighted with the positive feedback our colleagues are providing, which inspires new ideas as we progress through the programme. We’re focussed on delivering a plan which simultaneously benefits our business, colleagues and customers.”
