Guildford forecourt to reopen with new look under new owners

Southern Co-op is planning to re-open a convenience store and petrol station in Guildford after a major refurbishment.

The independent co-operative acquired the site from independent retailer Rahul Shah, who previously ran the store with his father.

“We are pleased to be passing the running of the store to a team which is based just down the road. Southern Co-op has a strong community ethos so we hope that this change will be good for the local residents and a positive alternative,” Shah said.

“It was time for my father to take a step back but the store will continue to meet people’s needs – whether they need a pint of milk or a choice of locally produced food.”

The store, which has been part of the Shah family for 25 years, is currently closed for alterations.

Southern Co-op said thousands of pounds worth of food and other goods will be donated to North Guildford Foodbank, The Hive, and The Salvation Army as part of changes to the store in 45 Woodbridge Road.

The retailer hopes to build on the store’s success under the Shahs by continuing all of the existing popular products, such as COOK ready meals.

There will also be new environmentally-responsible additions such as a soft plastic recycling point making all Co-op branded food packaging easy to recycle in the Guildford area.

Tony Scott, Southern Co-op’s area manager, said: “We are really happy to be able to retain the sense of independence in this store whilst bringing in some new sustainable elements which we hope the local residents will value.

“It is also an added bonus to be able to make such a considerable donation ahead of the reopening to the local foodbank – which is relied on by so many people at the moment. This support will be ongoing with a collection point in store for customers who wish to donate to North Guildford Foodbank.”

The range will include an in store bakery, a range of hot food and drinks to takeaway, fresh fruit and vegetables, Amazon lockers and Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range.

As part of Southern Co-op’s commitment to tackling climate change, the store will include eco-friendly technology such as LED lighting, a building management system to reduce electricity use, and electronic shelf edge labels which reduces paper wastage.

All single use carrier bags will be compostable and the only alternatives being long lasting fold away bags and large shoppers.

The new look store will reopen on 21 December and will keep the existing opening hours – Monday to Saturday 6am to midnight, and Sundays 7am to 11pm.