Park Wood coop

The group’s estate will stand at more than 2,600 stores at the end of the year

The Co-op is set to open 30 new stores across the UK in the run-up to Christmas, creating 500 jobs.

The £25m investment in the expansion of the group’s estate, which will stand at more than 2,600 stores at the end of the year, includes sites at transport hubs, city locations and residential apartment buildings.

Co-op portfolio and development director Stuart Hookins said the company was looking for further sites to open more stores.

“Ease, speed and convenience continue to rise in importance for today’s time-pressed shopper,” he added.

“Our focus is all about selecting the right location to deliver what our members and customers want, need and care about, conveniently. We continue to look for new sites which support our ambition to operate at the heart of local life and enable us to give back and create social value in our communities.”

New Co-op stores opening in November and December are:

• Barrachnie, Baillieston Road • Edinburgh, Milton Road West • Newbury, Monument Close
     
• Biggin Hill, Rosehill Road • Forest Hill, Stanstead Road • Northwood Hills, Joel Street
     
• Bognor Regis, Chichester Road • Forres, Grantown Road • Pontesbury, Hall Bank (Shropshire)
     
• Bristol, Coronation Road • Galston, Henrietta Street • Purton, Station Road
     
• Broughton, Garstang Road • Gravesend, East Milton Road • Rochester, Riverside
     
• Burgess Hill, Kings Weald • Greenwich Peninsula, Chandlers Avenue • Salford Quays
     
• Cambridge, Cherry Hinton Road • Hoylake, Market Street • Stirling, Causewayhead Road
     
• Carmarthen, Jobs Well Road • Ilford, Longwood Gardens • Stornoway, Cromwell Street
     
• Chichester, East Street • Milborne Port • Wemyss Bay, Shore Road
     
• Derbyshire Lane, Sheffield • New Waltham, Station Road • Willesden Green