Our Local Co-op - 6 Months On

My apologies before I commence. I had intended to write a review of our new local Co-op store after 3 months, 6 months and the a year, but moves are afoot! As I have been preoccupied with these 'moves', my poor blog has become neglected and starved of its reasonably regular posts. I will tell all in a later posting, but, for now I want concentrate on how our local store is doing.

For the reasons mentioned, this is now a review after 6 months, not 3. And what a 6 months it has been. The Co-op has put the C into convenience! It is a joy to walk into, with clean floors, well stocked shelves, an airy feel and friendly staff. I know many of us watched to see how the store would develop, whether it would remain as good as when it started. I am happy to say that it is as good if not better! I think the best word to describe it would be consistency.

There is also a new manager as Conor left the store to work in Newhaven. Bart has kept to the high standards the store started with and wants the store to get even better. Sam, the highly capable and lovely deputy manager has also worked hard to maintain the shop's good name. The rest of the staff, (sorry can't mention you all by name - I might miss someone) are great workers and so helpful.

I know that some would think that shopping in a smaller store is more expensive than at the larger supermarkets, but with the regular vouchers and the special offers, I find that the cost is comparable.

I only have 2 gripes. The first is the parking. Not the fact that it can get crowded - but that the spaces seem to be for slimmer cars. I did have one funny instance last week when, having shopped, I went to get in only to find that the space between me and the next car was not enough for me to even open the door. The driver was on her mobile at the time, completely oblivious to the problem until prompted.

The second is the convenience of it all! It is so easy to pop down and to purchase something you fancy - some wine or chocolate for example. It is doing nothing for my weight loss at the moment!

I think I should close by saying I haven't been asked to write this and Co-op is not paying me. I am just a customer who has been won over to shopping regularly at my local Co-op and like any convert, I want to tell the world.

My local Co-op