The Co-operative Group has announced a new coffee shop concession in 10 stores, after signing a deal with Churchill Catering.
Operating under the new brand name & Coffee, the in-store coffee shops will be redesigned to act as a community hub stocking locally-produced products, with the first due to open in the Ridgeway store in Plymouth in August.
The coffee shops being revamped and refitted are located in Heathfield, Holmfirth, Hove, Inverness, Louth, Peacehaven, Ridgeway, Ryde, Wadebridge, and Wickford. They will also offer tailored breakfast and lunch food menus as part of the trial.
Co-op director of innovation and format, Mark Pettigrew, said: “We want the coffee shops to be a place for the community to meet and enjoy a range of quality drinks and snacks, all under the new ‘& Coffee’ banner. We’re really excited to be partnering with an expert in this field and to be able to offer our customers new reasons to visit us as we deliver a great new coffee experience.”
Following the trial, a decision will be made about a further roll-out of the concession.
Vertas Group chief executive officer, Ian Surtees, said: “Securing this contract with Co-op is a huge accolade for us, putting us firmly on the map as a nationwide partner in the retail catering sector. It’s a result of a lot of teamwork, being transparent and open from day one and the track record Churchill Catering has in running these types of contracts.
“Co-op is one Great Britain’s most trusted brands so it’s a wonderful honour to play our part in that success continuing. We are looking forward to working side by side with the in-store managers to create community hubs that provide more than just a great cup of coffee.”
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