Co-operative opens new En Route store in St Andrews, Guernsey
Channel Islands Co-operative to open new En Route in St Andrews this year
As part of The Channel Islands Co-operative's expansion plans to provide its increasing customer base with more retail outlets, The Society has purchased the retail part of the St Andrews garage site near Bailiffs Cross. It has most recently been bought by the owners of Milton Produce, who still intend to utilise the rear of the site to move into a purpose built warehouse for its large wholesale produce operation.
The Co-operative Society will use the 3,000 sq ft retail unit at the front for its En Route format in conjunction with 3 newly installed fuel pumps to replace the existing forecourt operation. The retail shop will be slightly bigger than the current En Routes in Guernsey at L'Aumone, St Martin's and Forest.
Colin Macleod, Chief Executive said "As our growth accelerates, so does the need to proactively look for additional, new sites in the island and create more retail space to meet increasing customer demand. This is a location we have been interested in for a number of years and having kept an eye on it throughout that period, we are delighted that the opportunity to purchase the retail site has materialised and been agreed."
Nigel Stewart, owner of Milton Produce and co-director of Mauxmarqius Ltd (the owner of the St Andrew's site), confirmed that The Co-operative Society made an approach in late December 2010 with a view to acquiring the retail element and forecourt of the new development.
Mr Stewart said "It had always been our intention to run the shop and forecourt alongside the existing wholesale fruit and vegetable business. However, in light of the approach and the recent new and increased level of competition in the retail food sector, it made commercial sense to sell to The Co-operative Society, who has a wealth of expertise in the local food and fuel industry. We wish them all the success in the future."
Mr Macleod continued "We are a local business and as a community based retailer, we are very pleased to be able to provide our customers with a retail offer in this parish. Now that it's a Co-operative store, all customers will benefit from our single pricing policy which means they will get convenience shopping at the same low prices you would get in our Grand Marche stores. We will be looking to have the St Andrews retail shop open by early autumn of this year (2011), complete with parking spaces and a fresh, modern look to our En Route format."
Ends
For further information please contact:
Colin Macleod
Chief Executive
The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Limited
Tel: 01534 879822 Fax: 01534 768312
