Tamworth Co-operative has reported a total trading surplus of £1.19m for the year ending January 27, an 11% increase on the previous year.

Chief executive Julian Coles attributed the results to the continued strong performance of the soceity’s 11 convenience stores.

He said: “Convenience food shopping is becoming ever more important across our area. That is reflected in the short space of time it has taken for our purpose-built stores in Dosthill and Glascote to become established.

“An increasing number of local people now prefer to get their shopping in for a day or two, rather than complete a huge shop every week or fortnight. We have responded by offering more fresh produce than ever before.”

Tamworth Co-op has also bought a former pub in Dordon and, subject to planning permission, hopes to develop a new food store on the site.

During the 2017/18 financial year, the society invested in a major revamp of its Kingsbury convenience store, which features new refrigeration and air conditioning units along with improved warehousing facilities.