A purpose-built £3.8m food store has been officially opened at the heart of a newly created community on the outskirts of Hinckley.
Thursday 8th June 2023
Operated by the Heart of England Co-operative Society, the store is located in Fieldfare Road on the 850-home Holly Grange development and promises lots of choice for shoppers.
The facility boasts an impressive 3,000 sq. ft. modern sales area offering a wide range of meat, groceries, dairy products, wine, spirits, chilled beers, freshly made milkshakes, hot drinks, self-serve fizzy drinks, fresh flowers and even children’s toys.
Other features include an in-store bakery and deli, as well as a Costa coffee machine, a chilled food-to-go range, Amazon parcel lockers, self-service check-outs and a car park with electric charging points.
Steve Browne, general manager of Heart of England Co-op’s food division, said it is special to be part of a new community.
“I’m sure the people living here feel the same as we do – that we are at the beginning of an exciting new chapter. I feel confident that residents from the estate and those from the wider area too will enjoy shopping in such a modern and vibrant environment. We will also have a new Greggs store as a neighbour in the near future.”
More than 200 goody bags were handed out as customers entered the building through an arch of balloons, with a face painter and a balloon artist providing entertainment.
Pupils from Battling Brook Primary School helped to cut the ribbon at the official launch on June 3. As part of the store’s commitment to support the local community, the school received a £500 donation.
The Islastones Foundation was given £250 in memory of seven-year-old Hinckley girl Isla Tansley who died from a rare spinal tumour. The money will help fund research into the treatment of childhood cancers.
The business venture has created 15 jobs and is the 38th food store in the Heart of England Co-op’s portfolio encompassing Coventry, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and South Leicestershire.
Ali Kurji, chief executive of the Heart of England Co-op, says the store, which is open seven days a week from 7am to 10pm, has an extremely low carbon footprint.
“The building has been fitted with LED lighting and the refrigeration system uses around 40 per cent less energy than older equipment. All Co-op branded packaging is recyclable and there is a recycling point for soft plastics. These are commonly found on items such as crisp and bread bags, cereal liners and biscuit wrappers which can’t normally be put out with household recycling.
“As a Co-operative we are well known for supporting local communities and for providing high quality products at fair prices. That has never been more important than during these tough times of high inflation.”
The store has a food donation point to support families whose budgets are stretched to breaking point.
“In addition, we will be expanding our link-up with FareShare to ensure surplus food goes to people struggling to make ends meet rather than it going to landfill sites,” added Mr Kurji.
“It is also heartening that Leicestershire’s first net zero carbon school is due to open soon and will be a close neighbour of ours. Just like them we plan to be part of this forward-thinking community for many years to come.”