Photo Above: Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society (centre), and Steve Browne, General Manager of the Society’s Food Division (fourth from left), with members of the Society’s Board of Directors.
Society Invests £2.1 Million In New Store
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
The Heart of England Co-operative Society has opened the doors to a new £2.1 million food store in Hockley Heath – bringing the total number of food stores in the Society’s portfolio to 35.
This is the highest investment ever to be made by the Society in a Food store, demonstrating its commitment to meeting the needs of the local community.
The acquisition of the new 4,500 sq ft site, a former swimming pool showroom in Stratford Road, marks the first move for the Society into the Hockley Heath area.
The Society is bringing together a range of its most popular in-store features to serve customers in the area. As well as a vast choice of groceries there is a selection of hot and cold Food to Go, Costa Coffee, Rollover hot dogs, Tango Ice Blast, Slush Puppie, freshly squeezed orange juice, an extensive range of fresh food, a wide selection of wines and spirits, and cakes sourced from Alcester-based Fatherson Bakery.
Steve Browne, General Manager of the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Food Division, said: “We are delighted to welcome customers into our new store in Hockley Heath.
“We have carefully planned the store to give all our customers the ultimate experience in convenience shopping.
“Our design includes wide aisles and upright displays of many of our food products such as fresh pizzas, giving them a clear layout and adding appeal for shoppers.
“The shelves are laid out so that the stock is all to hand and within easy reach.
“We are delighted with the way the store has shaped up and already are receiving excellent feedback from customers.”
The opening of the new store has resulted in the recruitment and training of 12 new members of staff for the Society, which traces its history back to 1832 when its first shop opened in Coventry.
Every new recruit has received extensive training in the months leading up to the opening of the store, and Steve said all new members of staff will be offered regular training opportunities going forward as the Society seeks to maintain its high standards of customer service.
The new store is part of a record £12 million programme of investments undertaken by the Society to ensure the long-term future of the business.
Last week the Society opened a £1.8 million store in Burbage, Leicestershire. And in August it unveiled a £1.8 million store in the Holbrooks area of Coventry – its seventh store in the city.
It also operates a network of 14 funeral homes across its trading area of Coventry, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and south Leicestershire.
Back to newsline