Lincolnshire Co-op said it will acquire a convenience store in Donington from the Co-op Group, its 101st food store.
The independent co-operative will take over the running of the store in Donington’s Market Place in mid-November, with the two co-operatives working together to ensure no jobs are at risk. Until then, it will continue to run as a Co-op Group store.
The store will temporarily close in November for just under two weeks while Lincolnshire Co-op invests £100,000 in a rebrand and refit, which will include introducing its Love Local range, freshly baked bread from Gadsby’s bakery, food to go including Costa Coffee Express and an extensive range of chilled meal options, beers and wines, fruit and veg and groceries.
“This will be our 101st food store and we’re looking forward to opening the doors to the community and welcoming the team to Lincolnshire Co-op,” chief operating officer Steve Leach said.
“We’re excited to introduce more people in Donington and the surrounding areas to Lincolnshire Co-op, including our Love Local products, exclusive member offers and strong community connections.”
Lincolnshire Co-op, which trades mainly in Greater Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and surrounding counties, has around 3,000 existing dividend card holders in the Donington area. It runs the pharmacy in Donington, and other nearby services including a food store and pharmacy in Swineshead, a pharmacy in Kirton, and a food store and post office in Gosberton, alongside a range of outlets in Boston and Spalding.
Both Lincolnshire Co-op and Co-op Group are part of the same co-operative buying group, sharing own-brand products, but they are separate businesses with a different community support programme, trading model, dividend card and membership structure.