Co-op unveils plans to create 250 new jobs across Yorkshire

The Co-op has announced plans to open 10 new food stores and provide extensions or upgrades for a further 11 sites as part of a £15m store investment programme across Yorkshire.

The retailer anticipates that the investment will create around 250 new jobs in the county.

Planned new stores include sites in York; Harrogate and Northowram, overhauls for petrol filling stations in Ingleton and Mytholmroyd and, with extensions or improvements scheduled for existing stores including those in Thirsk; Helmsley and Sheffield.

This announcement follows on from the Co-op retailer last month unveiling a £50m price investment programme to cut the cost of everyday essentials including fruit, vegetables, bread, fresh meat and ready meals, as well as household brand names.

John McNeill, the Co-op’s divisional managing director, said: “The Co-op is positively responding to the changes occurring within this dynamic sector. Our Food business is going from strength to strength in what is clearly a challenging retail market.

“We have the ambition for our stores to be at the heart of local life, bringing communities together and offering our Members and customers great quality products when and where they need them.

“We’re delighted to be making such a significant investment in the region again in 2018, investing in our people, stores, products, prices and communities with over 20 new or improved stores this year.

He added: “Such sustained investment is indicative of our long and proud history in Yorkshire – we are passionate about serving the many diverse communities across the county and want to give shoppers the opportunity to buy what they want, when and where they want it, in great looking stores that also give back to the communities that they serve.”

The Co-op’s expansion in Yorkshire forms part of the retailer’s UK-wide plans to open around 100 new stores in 2018.