February 20, 2019 12.26 pm This story is over 61 months old

Opening set for £1.6m food store and filling station near Spalding

It has created eight new jobs
Work in progress at the Whaplode Food Store and Filling Station. Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

A Lincolnshire Co-op Food Store and Filling Station will open near Spalding later this month after a major £1.6 million redevelopment.

A new larger food store has been built in place of the old kiosk at The Whaplode Food Store and Filling Station on Main road in Whaplode, Spalding. The fuel forecourt has also been refreshed.

The site was closed in April 2018 to allow for demolition of the kiosk and construction of the new outlet. The work also included the installation of a new canopy and fuel pumps.

The official re-opening will take place on Thursday, February 28.

Eight new jobs have been created with staff recruited to join the existing six staff members of the team. Staff at the site were relocated to other Lincolnshire Co-op outlets while the development work took place.

The retail area has now doubled with room for a much wider selection of food to go, fresh and chilled items. There is also takeaway Costa Coffee and goods from producers in the society’s Love Local range.

A number of services will be available at the site including Paypoint for bill payments, a free to use ATM and cash back at the tills.

Lottery tickets and first-class stamps will also be sold. The post box outside the store is being reinstated.

Official re-opening

Three local charities will each be presented with a donation of £500 to help mark the occasion at the official re-opening.

Lincolnshire Co-op Regional Manager Amesh Davda said: “It’s been exciting for our team in Whaplode to see the site transformed brick by brick from the old kiosk to a bigger, brighter food store, plus an improved forecourt.

“They can’t wait to welcome all our customers back and show them its new look.”

Post office service

Before the outlet closed previously there was a post office combi-counter service available. This was where limited post office services were carried out on the same counter as food store transactions.

Lincolnshire Co-op gave notice in autumn 2018 on the combo-counter contract at Whaplode after feedback from colleagues, reviewing the layout of the store and getting positive feedback about its nearby Holbeach Post Office.

It is currently being advertised here so any business or community group can apply to take it on.

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