First East of England Co-op Food store opening in Hertfordshire

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Residents of Bishop’s Stortford will be able to shop in a new East of England Co-op Food store as the retailer confirms new store to open on Friday 9 August. 

The store is the first East of England Co-op to open in Hertfordshire and is located opposite the train station in Bishop’s Stortford, making it an ideal spot for commuters. 

Elaine Payne has also been announced as the new Food store manager. Elaine has worked in multiple roles for the East of England Co-op over 8 years, most recently at its Maldon store in neighbouring county Essex. 

With Food stores across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, the retailer is now adding Hertfordshire to the counties in which it operates. The East of England Co-op is independent of the national Co-op Group and other regional co-operatives.  

The new Food store will provide all the everyday essentials as well as an exciting range of hot and cold ‘food to go’ options, including an in-store bakery and fresh coffee. 

Elaine Payne, the new store manager at the East of England Co-op’s Bishop’s Stortford store, said: “I’m passionate about working for a retailer with the local community at its forefront and I was thrilled to be appointed Branch Manager for this new store. I am excited for East of England Co-op to become part of the town, making connections with members of the community, and residents in Bishop’s Stortford. 

“We look forward to welcoming the local community to the new store, with free giveaways on the opening day.” 

In a jobs boost for the town, the East of England Co-op has recruited 19 Customer Service Assistants and Team Managers from the local area to work in the fast-paced, community focussed environment. 

Doug Field OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the East of England Co-op, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our first Hertfordshire Food store, in Bishop’s Stortford. We are always eager to support the local communities in new areas across the East of England with our quality products and exceptional customer service. 

“New store openings are great news for our members and the communities in which our stores are based. 

We look forward to being an active part of the local area and will support Foodbanks and the other community outreach programmes through our Community Cares Fund.” 

The new store will be open 6am-10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am-10pm on Sundays. You can find the new store opposite Bishop’s Stortford Train Station at East of England Co-op, 68 Carriage House, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.