Co-op is launching its new Bridge of Allan store (Friday, 2 October), opening its doors and welcoming the community into the their new Co-op following a multi-million pound investment to transform the shopping experience for the Stirlingshire spa town.
The £5M redevelopment of the Bridge of Allan site has seen the former Co-op store – which was located in a converted garage – knocked down and replaced with more than 10,000 sq ft of retail and back-of-shop space across two floors. The extensive programme of works provide the community with a modern, purpose-built store which is fit for the future. Building materials have been used which are sympathetic to the local area and, behind the scenes, new facilities provide for colleague wellbeing and, enhanced storage and warehousing to promote product availability and resilience.
The store will open between 7am-10pm daily, and supports over 20 local jobs. The new store includes Costa coffee express and hot food – including a serve-over counter by Fife-based Stephens Bakery. Other added services include key cutting and a photo booth, with a free-to-use ATM providing access to cash in the community.
The online home delivery of groceries is available through Co-op’s own online shop – shop.coop.co.uk – and its delivery partners, with orders picked fresh in the local store and delivered quickly and conveniently in the community. Parcel collection services are also available. This all sits alongside Co-op’s focus on fresh and healthy produce; meats and dairy; meal ideas; food to go; fresh flowers; ready meals; pizzas and, award-winning beers, wines and spirits.
Customer car parking has also been enhanced, with resurfacing work and additional spaces created by Co-op, and EV charging also set to be introduced after launch. Ownership of part of the car park will be returned to Stirling Council.
A key focus throughout the works, which commenced in June 2024, has been Co-op’s commitment to working closely with and listening to the community, with outcomes including the provision of a temporary store, ATM and online delivery throughout the majority of the works to continue to serve and support the community.
Andy Baird, Co-op’s divisional operations director, said: “We are delighted to invest in Bridge of Allan – the whole team is excited to now be welcoming the community into their brand new Co-op, the new store looks fantastic. We are so grateful for all the support from the community throughout the works. We have invested to develop a store for Bridge of Allan which is fit for the future, our aim is to have created a hub contributing to local life and meeting the needs of our community and visitors to the area. We have a focus on offering quality products, value and choice that can be enjoyed by everyone along with a range of added services.
“We’re proud to serve Bridge of Allan, and we are now enjoying welcoming the community as they pop into their new Co-op. We’re here to contribute to local life and conveniently serve and support the community.”
Rachel Hargreaves, Co-op’s director of property, development and estates, said: “The investment in Bridge of Allan is a wonderful example of Co-op’s ongoing work to innovate and enhance its estate which, alongside our investment in price, products and proposition, is designed to give our members and customers what they want and need, locally and conveniently. I am proud of the whole team effort, and in particular of how the local community has been at the heart of our approach throughout the process – listening to local residents has helped to shape the programme of works and creation of the new store. I am delighted to see this redevelopment now come to fruition, and thrilled that we are welcoming the community into their brand-new local Co-op.”
