Avenue Centre: Opening the new Tenby Co-op store

STAFF and customers of The Avenue Social Activity Centre, Tenby, were guests of honours at the launch of The Co-op’s latest food store last Thursday (12 May).

The new store has opened following a near £600,000 investment and representatives of the day care centre, which works to support adults with learning difficulties, helped store staff to cut the ribbon and declare the new food store open for the community.

The new store – located in The Green, near Heywood Lane, Tenby – opens between 7am – 11pm and has a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials.

The Co-op is investing to transform and grow its convenience business and an in-store bakery, ATM, Costa coffee dispenser and car parking will further add to the shopping experience for customers as the store works to build a compelling offer for shoppers conveniently.

The community retailer’s latest food store has created 23 retail roles, and the appointment of a Community Pioneer, Emma Beaumont, also underpins the Co-op’s commitment to making a difference in the local community.

Emma is a member of the food store team who also works to foster involvement in community activities, from local fundraising initiatives to exploring ways to support local charities, schools and voluntary organisations in order to make a difference in the community – the Avenue Social Activity Centre, Tenby, will be the focus of in-store fundraising for the first month following the launch of the new store.

Emma and Store Manager, Carole John, will also will also lead the store’s support for the British Red Cross, the Co-op’s charity partnership which will help to confront social isolation and loneliness in local communities.

Store manager, Carole John, said: “The new store looks fantastic, we have had a great day, and super feedback from the community – even the sun shone for us!. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to launch the Co-op’s newest food store and to welcome the community into their new local Co-op – it really is an exciting time for the whole team.

“As a community retailer, and a co-operative, we are confident that the store will become a real asset to the community. It will play its part in local life and our aim is for it become a community hub as well as delivering a compelling and convenient shopping experience locally.”

The Co-op (March) announced its support for British produce and has invested in lowering the price of over 200 of its own-branded British meat and poultry products. Its annualised investment in lowering prices will this year top £200m.

By the end of the year, it will have reduced prices on over 1,000 everyday essentials which also includes the introduction of its 75p farmhouse loaf and pruning the price of over 100 lines of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Earlier this year, the Co-op was described as the fastest growing non-discounter food store according to retail industry data released by Kantar Worldpanel.

There are offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its opening.