Hundreds of people got their first look at a new flagship food store and coffee drive-thru when they were officially unveiled at Glenvale Park, Wellingborough on Saturday 30 November.
The Heart of England Co-operative Society store takes pride of place as the ‘biggest, greenest and most advanced’ in its 38-strong portfolio, the group revealed. The group has invested £6.1m into the development which includes seven rental units.
The drive-thru, called Bewitched, has a strong local flavour, being just a mile away from where the chain was founded. Operated by the Heart of England Co-op on a franchise basis, it will be the first coffee drive-thru in the world to roast its own beans on site. In addition, more than half of the food store’s energy comes from solar power, and it is packed with eco-friendly features.
Inside, there is seating for 64 customers with another area outside where food including cakes, pastries, sandwiches and paninis can also be enjoyed. Pupils at Glenvale Church of England Primary School took part in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 4,682 sq.ft.
Other community groups were also given a boost as well. Glenvale Park Football Club received £900 for a new kit, and its care home was awarded £500 towards its musical activities, while a £500 donation was made to the Mother Christmas Shoebox Appeal.
Heart of England Co-op chief executive, Steve Browne (pictured second right) says the opening is a key landmark in the Society’s 192-year history: “This is our most ambitious development to date. We feel proud and excited because the scale of our investment mirrors the faith we have in the future of Glenvale Park. The local centre is at the heart of a vibrant community with 3,000 new homes.
“A considerable amount of planning has gone into our new food store, and the end result has more than matched our expectations. It is an imposing building, with a modern and vibrant feel, and has plenty of natural light flooding in through the glass frontage.
“I’m confident shoppers will appreciate the quality, value and choice that it offers. The early feedback we have received about the store and the coffee drive-thru has been extremely encouraging.”
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