Co-op to invest £70m in 100 new stores

THE Manchester-based Co-operative Group is to create 1,500 jobs by investing £70m in the opening of 100 stores across the country in 2017.

The group says the investment will be spread throughout London, the South East, Yorkshire and Scotland.

The Co-op says it is expecting to open five stores in London by the end of March.

Co-op property portfolio director Stuart Hookins said: “Whilst other retailers are scaling back their expansion plans, the Co-op continues to open new convenience stores.

“We opened 100 stores in 2016, and we plan to open hundreds more new stores over the next few years.”