Locals and tourists in Bourton-on-the-Water, in the Cotswolds, have a new local amenity at their disposal. Following £4.9 million of investment, the Co-op has opened a new supermarket in the village, and at 14,517 sq ft, it is more than twice the size of the store it replaces.
An Opening to Remember
The first customers through the doors of the new store received free samples from producers such as the British Honey Company, Mudwalls Veg, Chase Distillery and the Cotswold Dairy. They also enjoyed cookery demonstrations from chef Simon Woodhouse. Further events are planned in order to help familiarise customers with how their food makes it from farm to fork. The ‘farm to fork’ campaign is a wider initiative aimed particularly at schoolchildren, and it encourages consumers to think about the steps necessary to get food on to their plates.
Employment Opportunities
In an area where non-seasonal employment opportunities can be hard to come by, the store provides 34 new jobs.
An Emphasis on Local Products
As part of the Co-op’s “Best of our Counties” range, and with an eye to a growing nationwide campaign to eat local and cut down on food miles, the store is to stock over 800 different products made in Gloucestershire and its surrounding areas. These will include locally grown fruit and vegetables, locally reared meat supplied by The Meat Joint and Todenham Manor Farm, and artisan bread and other bakery products, as well as cider and other beverages. There is also a wine expert, ready and willing to offer discerning shoppers advice on the perfect vintage to match the meal of their choice.
Storage and Display
The generous size of the new supermarket means that the products can be laid out in a way that is both visually appealing and easy for shoppers to navigate. Excellent shop fittings, including fridges, freezers, counters from Fridge Freezer Direct and a serve over cabinet assist this process.
The Future Is Green
The new store has been designed to be as ‘green’ as possible. Solar panels, discreetly hidden in the building’s fabric, are set to produce an estimated 33,000kwh of energy every year. And mindful of new national initiatives to promote electric and hybrid vehicles, the store’s 100-space car park provides ten charging points for electric vehicles. These will be available to customers at no additional charge.
