Interest from job seekers is “pouring” in as the Co-op launches a recruitment drive in Salford for colleagues to join its new £500,000 Vimto Gardens food store.
Opening this autumn, up to 30 retail roles are to be created as the community retailer readies itself to launch its latest new food store.
Named after the famous soft drink which was first produced near to the site, the multi-million Vimto Gardens development will regenerate the Chapel Street area of the city with its mixed-use development including the Manchester-based Co-op’s 4,000 sq. ft. new food store.
The store will have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas, food-to-go and essentials. In addition, the appointment of a Community Pioneer will underpin the Co-op’s commitment to making a difference in the local community.
A Community Pioneer is a member of the food store team also working to foster involvement in community activities, from local fundraising initiatives to working with charities, schools and voluntary organisations to contribute to local life.
Chris Moss, Acquisition Manager for The Co-op in the region, said: “Our new store programme has really started to gain momentum. The Co-op Food business is moving forwards with a clear purpose so we can deliver a compelling, convenient and co-operative shopping experience for shoppers each day. Our acquisitions programme is fundamental to the success of this strategy. In the last two years we have opened close to 200 new stores UK-wide, and in 2016 the Co-op is actively pursuing 100 new stores as well as carrying out refits in a further 150.
“Our new Co-op look represents all that we stand for, our proud co-operative heritage and our decision that membership, the very thing that makes us truly distinctive, must be at the heart of all we say and do. With the Co-op’s blue design logo – often referred to as the ‘clover leaf’ and first used in the late 1960’s – linking to a time when people really understood how they could be co-owners of their Co-op, and how a strong Co-op could help to create strong communities.”
Phil Mayall, development director at English Cities fund (ECf), said:
“We have been working for a number of years to ensure the scheme delivers what the people of Salford want. A convenience store that caters for families and professionals living in the area ranked highly, and we are confident that the new Co-op store will satisfy that demand.”
Phil continued: “When complete, Salford Central – which is made up of two inter-dependent, but distinct areas, Chapel Street and New Bailey – will create around 11,000 new jobs, many of which will be for local people. Additionally it will offer 220,000 square metres of commercial space, 849 new homes and 390 hotel rooms.”
As a number of the Co-op’s store workforce are employed for 16 hours or less each week, the flexibility of the retail roles in its new Salford store can also be ideal for members of the local community who are parents, studying full-time, working around family needs or, who are semi-retired.
Pete Timmins, Manager of the Co-op’s Vimto Gardens store, said:
“The team is “fizzing” with excitement, we are thrilled to be making such a significant investment in Vimto Gardens. The Co-op is a retailer with a history stretching back more than 150 years, and with stores in the heart of communities it is uniquely placed to meet changing consumer shopping habits which is seeing shoppers increasingly purchasing little and often, topping-up conveniently and making decisions about their evening meal earlier the same day. We are keen to hear from people in the community with a passion for food, community and, for great customer service who would like to find out more about joining the Co-op food store team.”
