A new Basingstoke Co-op store is harnessing cutting edge technology whilst creating 16 new jobs in the local community.
Based in the new Merton Rise estate, the store's electricity comes entirely from renewable sources and features new EcoBlade technology developed by motor racing engineers in its fridges to improve refrigeration efficiency and reduce cold air being lost into the aisles.
Part of the regional, independent co-operative, Southern Co-op, the store will include LED lighting throughout and electronic shelf edge labels which will reduce paper wastage by replacing traditional paper-based shelf edge pricing and promotion labels, in favour of digital screen technology.
There will be a soft plastics recycling bin in store and the single use carrier bags will be compostable. Bags for life, which were fast becoming the new single-use carrier, will also be replaced by longer lasting fold away bags and large shoppers.
Andy Thompson, Store Manager, said, 'Within Southern Co-op there is a huge drive towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions from our business by 2030 so I'm pleased to showcase the part our store is playing in achieving these goals.
'There is also a continued push to make sure this store supports the surrounding community so we will be announcing a local funding partner shortly which customers will be able to support and there will be a food bank collection point in store.
'There is a particularly exciting project in the planning which we will be supporting shortly to help reduce local food waste. We can't wait to tell people more as well as welcoming new faces through our doors.'
The store opens its doors on Wednesday 27 October at 7am and is located in Wallingford Road, Basingstoke, RG24 9QD.
The new store will be open from 7am to 10pm daily and will include Amazon lockers and an ATM.
Products on offer include COOK ready meals, a selection of 100% plant-based GRO meals and snacks, hot food to takeaway, Dunkin Donuts, coffee to go, Rollover hot dogs and Slush machines.
Southern Co-op is currently working towards its ambitious science based targets to cut direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from its business by 2030, supported by a climate action pathway of planned activity and an initial investment of £5.8m.
