Co-op opens franchise store in Merseyside

The former Spar store, which is opposite a large 6^th form college, has been extended and transformed into a 3,000sq ft Co-op store.

The outlet features a range of fresh, healthy produce, ready meals, and pizzas along with an in-store bakery, Fairtrade, free-from, and vegan options, and a range of everyday essentials. This is teamed with a large food-to-go proposition to serve the college including sandwiches, snacks and drinks, healthy snacking, Costa Coffee, hot food, Dots Dounts, and soon Tango Iceblast will be added.

Stephen Richards, Co-op St Helens store owner, said: “We’re really excited to launch Co-op’s first franchise store in the town. It looks fantastic and we are looking forward to welcoming the community into their new store, where we have worked to develop the range, choice, products, and services locally that will create a really compelling offer in the community.”

Martin Rogers, head of new channels at Co-op, added: “Our franchise offering has gone from strength to strength as we focus on generating mutual value with forward-thinking like-minded partners, and our expertise and learnings in this area are helping us access new markets all over the country.”

The retailer has recently been upgraded by the British Franchise Association (BFA) to an associated member of the regulatory body, reinforcing the retailer as a credible franchise partner.