Cynon Valley

Jobs boost as Co-op to open new Cynon store

- TOM HOUGHTON tom.houghton@walesonlin­e.co.uk

A NEW Co-op store will open in the Cynon Valley bringing 20 jobs.

The new store will be at the former car dealership site on Canal Road in Cwmbach, and is expected to open in late summer.

It follows an investment of £500,000 by Co-op, and marks a return to the community for the company, which first opened in the area over 150 years ago in the 1850s.

The new 2,000 sq ft store will offer an in-store bakery, food-to-go and customer car parking alongside its focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials.

Recruitmen­t is expected to start in the next few days, and the company has said it is looking for new colleagues with a “passion for food, community and customer service”.

It is also looking to bring a funding boost to local groups and good causes.

Area manager Giles Jenkins said: “We are thrilled to have made such a significan­t investment in Cwmbach and looking forward to serving the community.

“It is an exciting time for the whole team to be involved in the creation of the Co-op’s newest food store. Our ambition is to establish the store as a local hub, a real asset for the community.

“We want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op.

“We are also giving back to the community. Our members can also make a difference locally, simply by swiping their membership card when they shop with us they can raise much needed funding for organisati­ons in the area who contribute to improving local life.”

John Hillman, acquisitio­n manager for the Coop in Wales, added: “The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum and the new store will have a fantastic look.

“This year we have ambitions to open up to 12 new Welsh stores. We are always on the lookout for new sites where we can be at the heart of local life.”

The store will be opened by Geraint Hill of Geraint Hill Car Sales (South Wales Ltd), and Vikki Howells, Welsh Assembly Member for the Cynon Valley.

It comes after the Coop opened more than 100 new stores UK-wide last year. The company has ambitions to open a similar amount this year.

 ??  ?? A picture of the Co-op in Cwmbach taken in the 1850s
A picture of the Co-op in Cwmbach taken in the 1850s

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