Opening in two locations on campus, within the Union Building (2,840 sq ft convenience store) and a smaller store at the Purple Onion (c1,840 sq ft), the new stores – both known as LSU’s Co-op – will offer an extensive range of quality, fresh, healthy produce and everyday essentials for those studying, working and visiting the campus.
Creating more than 50 jobs across both locations, the stores also create employment opportunities for Loughborough University students, providing valuable work experience and supporting their studies.
The campus Co-op stores will be operated by LSU as a Co-op franchise, serving-up bakery, hot food products, Costa Coffee Express and freshly squeezed orange juice, alongside a focus on fresh, chilled and healthy produce; meal ideas and everyday essentials; food-to-go and meal deals; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products.
Co-op is committed to supporting UK farmers, growers and suppliers, with all of its fresh and frozen meat and poultry, including in its ready meals, pies and freshly prepared sandwiches, 100% British.
A soft plastic recycle unit is also available in store to enable the campus community to recycle harder to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including: crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and, pet food pouches – ensuring all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable either through local authority kerbside collections, or the in-store recycling unit.
“We are delighted to partner with Co-op to bring these new stores to our campus,” said Rachael Alvey, president of Loughborough Students’ Union. “Our values align perfectly with Co-op, with both of our organisations dedicated to empowering our communities. Having a Co-op on campus not only enhances the student experience with access to quality groceries and everyday essentials, but also reinforces the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in building a better future. Co-op will provide a more accessible solution to food shopping for both students and the Loughborough community alike, and we’re very excited to open our doors!”
Martin Rogers, Co-op director of partnership development, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU). Franchise is a key priority for Co-op and we are working to share our convenience expertise with quality partners to bring Co-op and the benefits of membership to new and different communities. Launching a store within a Campus environment is an exciting development, it is a vibrant and dynamic community and we look forward to serving and supporting campus life at Loughborough.”
With a combined 4,000sq ft retail space across the two sites, the Union Building store is managed by Mike Hearn, and the Purple Onion store is managed by Karen Richardson, who added: “The whole team is delighted to have the opportunity to launch the new stores. Our aim is to operate at the heart of campus life, we continually listen to customer feedback and we have worked to develop the range, choice and services to create a compelling offer to serve our community, conveniently.”
Loughborough Students’ Union is dedicated to enhancing the student experience at Loughborough University. Through partnerships, such as the one with Co-op, LSU continues to provide top-tier services and opportunities for students to thrive both academically and socially. For more information about Loughborough Students’ Union, visit LSU.co.uk
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back 180 years. Its Member-owners own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation, enjoying a wide number of benefits including member-only price savings across everyday essentials, and personalised offers via the Co-op Membership App.
