The brand-new Co-op store on Derbyshire Lane in Sheffield opened its doors to the public on Friday 6 December.
The project, developed and managed by Sheffield-based property company Ackroyd & Abbott, has seen the former Co-op store at 260 Derbyshire Lane relocated and upgraded to a more modern, larger store at 229 Derbyshire Lane.
With an increase in local demand, there was a clear need for a bigger store, to ensure shoppers have access to the Co-op’s full range of fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, hot food, food-to-go, award-winning wines and essentials.
Gemma Swallow, Store Manager at the new Derbyshire Lane Co-op, knows the area well as is sure the store will become a key focal point of the local community:
“I’ve been at Co-op 19 years and am absolutely delighted to be coming in to manage the new Derbyshire Lane store. It’s an area I know very well, my daughter goes to Mundella Primary School and I just love the buzz of the area.”
The contemporary new store places a major emphasis on serving the local community. It features a customer shopping area of 250 square metres and boasts wide aisles and a large, fully accessible entranceway.
“The old store on Derbyshire Lane was unfortunately no longer fit for purpose. It was small and dark, and people with mobility issues or parents with pushchairs, really struggled to get up and down the aisles,” continued Gemma.
“Our new store allows us to put the local community first. As well as being more accessible, we can offer a more rounded experience to everyone – whether you want to have a chat about your day at the checkout or use one of the four self-service checkouts when you’re in a rush, the store works well.
“Our offer has almost tripled. We now have a takeaway Costa coffee service, a dedicated bakery section and can also stock the special seasonal ranges – such as Christmas food and drink. We simply didn’t have the room to accommodate these last year.”
In addition to retaining the existing staff members from the former Derbyshire Lane store, Co-op have taken on an addition eight staff members, several of which are from the local area.
Off-road parking has been increased from nine spaces to 14, helping to accommodate more visitors and stop cars blocking the road. There will also be a cycle store.
The contemporary new building unit is run on 100% renewable electricity and is well lit and welcoming both during the day and into the evening.
Tom Rusling, Director of Ackroyd & Abbott, the developer and manager of the project, said: “This has been a fantastic project to be involved in. The new store made the Derbyshire Lane location viable for the Co-op for the long term – retaining an important community asset and creating new jobs.
“With a school and retirement home in the immediate vicinity, we understood the importance of making a more accessible and welcoming shopping experience. Therefore, it’s been extremely rewarding to see the local community using and enjoying the store since it’s opening last week. The feedback has been great.
“Ackroyd & Abbott is a family-run company. In addition to our work in Yorkshire, we are always on the lookout for freehold residential, commercial and retail sites in the Midlands and beyond. We truly believe that our projects make a positive and lasting contribution to the local economy and the communities in which they are located.”
