Sail-past marks Brodick Co-op reopening
Coastguard’s Fiona cuts ribbon at newlook store as emergency staff look on
The official opening of the the new Brodick Co-op was marked by a sail-past of the MV Caledonian Isles to wish the new store every success.
Guests at the opening ceremony were in safe hands with representaives of all the emergency services there to mark the reopening after the store’s £1 million makeover.
The skies were sometimes overcast but it stayed largely dry for the ribbon cutting after store manager Liz McLean welcomed customers and guests to the new-look store. Flanked by pipers Malcolm Wheeler and Alistair Hume, the opening was performed by Coastguard station office Fiona Laing, who is also a first responder.
Co-op community representative Mark Harwood explained some of the community work of the Co-op before presenting a £500 cheque to the new Think About Plastic (TAP) group which has been set up on Arran.
Further local good causes, charities and community groups can now apply to benefit from the Co-op’s community fund. Applications for the next round of funding can be made until April 8.
Guests then joined the emergency services on the other side of the car park to watch the sail-past during which the ferry sounded its horn before Co-op staff crossed the road to wave their thanks to the crew.
Back in the store each branch of the emergency services was presented with an Easter hamper and £50-worth of Co-op vouchers to use to help their funds before a Coop cake was cut in the new cosy corner, which is available for community use, and sweets and Easter eggs were handed out to youngsters.
Throughout Friday and over the weekend treats and promotions were available in the new store which offers a wide range of fresh, healthy foods, hot food, meal ideas, award winning wines and essentials along with an in-store bakery and self-service tills to improve service times.
Liz said after the opening: ‘It’s been a great day and I can’t thank Colin McCort and everyone at CalMac enough for arranging the sail-past and all the emergency service personnel who came along to support us. I hope everyone, residents and visitors alike, will enjoy the experience of the new store.’