A CLASS ACT
CHILDREN from an Ashbourne primary school were among the VIP guests at the opening of a new convenience store in the town.
Hilltop Primary School pupils were invited to cut the ribbon at the new Central England Co-op, in Blenheim Road, which opened its doors for the first time on Friday.
The £1.2 million shop, which has created 22 new jobs and opens until 10pm every day, kicked off its first day of trading by donating money to Ashbourne’s pet rescue charity, Ashbourne and District Animal Welfare Society.
On the day of the grand opening, store manager Ben Wingfield said: “Our team were so excited to finally allow our members and customers to see our new store.
“The store looks fantastic and already customers have been making many positive comments about how it looks and the different products and services now available.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank customers for their patience.
“It has been long-awaited but, hopefully, everyone will enjoy the store as much as we do.
“All of us here at Ashbourne Food Store store are proud to be part of such a great community and are looking forward to welcoming all customers, old and new, to come and enjoy our new food store.”
The store, which will be stocking prod- ucts by Derby Brewing Company and The Bakewell Bakery, is part of a redevelopment of a former motorhome showroom off Derby Road, and the project has also created two further shop units, which will open alongside the Co-op.
National high street bakery brand Greggs has confirmed it plans to open a shop next to the Co-op in the new year, and the third empty unit is rumoured to be set aside for a new fish and chip shop.