Co-op to open town centre food store

Co-op is set to unveil its latest food store in Maidstone town centre.

The branch, currently under construction in Week Street, will occupy the former site of Linens Direct after closing earlier this year.

The supermarket chain says the new £705,000 shop will open in just over two weeks on Thursday, November 15.

Shoppers are being told to expect an in-store bakery, Costa Coffee machine, cash machine and self-scan tills.

The company also says the shop will bring a further 18 full and part-time jobs to the County Town.

Luke Arnold, store manager, said: “We are delighted to have undertaken such a significant investment in Maidstone and are very proud to be part of this community.”

The addition will mean shoppers now have three supermarket brands to choose from on just one street as it joins M&S and Tesco.

Ian Rowe, area manager, has high hopes for the success of the new branch despite competition.

“The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum, and our ambition is to ensure the store is a local hub for people living in the area,” he said.

The opening of the new store comes alongside a wider investment in the firm’s offering in the county as Co-op execs pump £2.3 million into overhauling a number of Kent filling stations.

Four renovated sites opened in October in Ramsgate, Bobbing, Swanley and Rochester with another six this month.