Co-op eyes empty town shop as new food store
PLAN WOULD SEE A MOVE FROM FURTHER UP THE ROAD
THE Co-op wants to turn a town’s vacant New Look shop into a new food store.
The fashion chain closed its shop in Ashby’s Market Street in February, and it has been empty since.
However, the Co-op at the other end of Market Street is set to relocate to the site if North West Leicestershire District Council approves the change of use of the premises.
A Co-op spokesman said the new location offered a bigger shop and better customer parking.
He said: “The new store will include self-scan till points, a bicycle repair station, a full range of products, free hot and cold water refill station, phone charging area, indoor and outdoor seating areas and customer toilets.
“There will also be the option for customers to enjoy click and collect and home delivery as well as being able to scan and go to buy their shopping.”
A food bank collection point will also be installed.
The new Co-op will also have National Lottery, Paypoint and foreign currency facilities, as well as a Costa Coffee machine, a free-to-use cash machine and a defibrillator.
There is also a Co-op store in Derby Road in the town.
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Having two Co-ops within a stone’s throw of each other seems a bit strange, but I remember it being a supermarket years ago before New Look moved in.
“I suppose it’s good that an empty shop is being put to use but Ashby has lost lots of its clothes shops with chains such as Peacocks and New Look going under.
“So it would be nice to see their old shop at the top of Market Street become something useful for the town, and not just sit there.”
The relocation could take place this winter.