The Co-op has announced it will open 75 new food stores across the UK this year with plans to refurbish existing branches – but 19 are expected to close in 2025
The Co-op is gearing up to launch a whopping 75 new food stores across the UK, with a spruce-up sesh planned for their current shops too.
They’re not stopping there – this year is all about more Co-op and franchise outlets popping up, including uni campus spots, a hospital debut and some swanky petrol stations to boot.
Matt Hood, managing director at Co-op, said: “We want everyone to have easy and convenient access to a Co-op store, wherever they live, and this year we are completely focused on achieving that through an ambitious and exciting new stores strategy.
“Not only are we a membership organisation owned by our six million members, we are experts in convenience shopping, where we combine great quality products, value and deals, and ethical retailing with quick online delivery services, community participation, and additional customer services.”
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The first of the new stores will open in Salford, Manchester, and Newcastle upon Tyne in early 2025. Meanwhile, the Co-op is getting its green on, adding 76,000 solar panels on up to 700 sites over the next three years, reports the Express.
It comes as 19 Co-op food stores are set to shut their doors for good in 2025.
According to The Sun, the supermarket will close its food stores in the Midlands and East Anglia by May 2025, citing “financial sustainability issues.”.
Three of these stores get a second lease on life as B&M stores, while Samy Limited, an independent convenience chain that operates brands like Spar, Londis, and Premier.
The following 19 Central Co-op Food stores are scheduled to close in 2025:
Barnby Dun, High Street – South Yorkshire
Broughton, High St – Northamptonshire
Croft, Pochin Street – Leicestershire
Desborough, Hill Top, Braybrooke Road – Northamptonshire
Dudley, Overfield Road – West Midlands
Eastwood, Nottingham Road – Nottinghamshire
Enderby, Mill Lane – Leicestershire
Kingstanding, Hawthorn Road – West Midlands
Leicester, Evington Rd – Leicestershire
Leicester, Narborough Rd – Leicestershire
Narborough, Station Road – Leicestershire
Peterborough, Mayors Walk – Cambridgeshire
Sprowston, Chartwell Road – Norfolk
Stafford, Baswich Lane – Staffordshire
Wigston, Blaby Road – Leicestershire
Yardley, Stoney Lane – West Midlands
Cromer, Middlebrook Way – Norfolk
Erdington, High Street – West Midlands
Shepshed, Hallcroft – Leicestershire