New jobs as investment pays off for Co-op
Central England Co-operative has revealed it has spent nearly £12m and created hundreds of jobs as part of major expansion plans during 2019 – with over £1.2m spent in the West Midlands.
Throughout the year the Society has opened 10 new food stores and two new funeral booking offices as well as relaunching six funeral homes and nine convenience stores.
The major development programme has seen investment in the following areas: Birmingham, Stafford, Nottingham, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
In the West Midlands, the Society has opened a new store in Tamworth, revamped sites in Halesowen, Castle Bromwich, and Bentley Heath, Pype Hayes and Moseley, Birmingham – spending £1,270,500 in the process and creating over 20 new jobs.
Tamworth Store Manager Paul Murray said: “All of us here at Central England Co-operative Food Stores across our trading area are proud to be part of such great communities and are looking forward to welcoming all customers, old and new, to come and enjoy our new and revamped food stores.”
Pype Hayes funeral director Debbie Rowley said: “Our first priority is to enhance memories and love for all of our families and we are very pleased to offer that at our revamped and new homes.
“We feel they reflect our commitment to providing excellent standards of care for our families during their time of bereavement.”
The work throughout 2019 has been part of an ambitious food store and funeral home development programme, with further investment planned during 2020.
