14 jobs have been created with the opening of The Southern Co-operative's new store in Alphington Road, Exeter. This was officially opened by the charity, Voluntary Organisation for Young people and Children (VOYC Devon) with the help of store manager Rob Gillings (6 December).
Rob said: "With a good range of produce including an in store bakery, plus newspapers and magazines, an ATM, paypoint and ample free parking, we hope that our new store will prove to be a convenient stopping point for locals needing to top up their food shopping." He added: "The shop is housed in such an attractive old building which was originally a Georgian merchant's mansion house. It stands out and is full of character, and The Southern Co-operative was careful to preserve the historic part of the building, doing a very sympathetic restoration as it is of local historic interest."
Customers have the chance to win £150 vouchers to spend at the store, which is open 7am-11pm daily, simply by giving their feedback about it by 20 December.
The Southern Co-operative donated £500 to VOYC as a thank you for opening the store. VOYC Devon is a well respected specialist infrastructure network for those voluntary and community sector groups that work with and for children and young people in Devon. VOYC President, Robin Wakinshaw, said:
"We very much welcome the support of The Southern Co-operative as this money will go towards the Devon Children and Young People's Awards on 26 June next year. We have a group of young people from Exeter who have agreed to lead the planning and running of the event and they will be delighted to have received the backing of The Southern Co-operative in this venture."
The Southern Co-operative, which is an independent society owned by its members with over 180 shops across southern England, also recently opened a store in Buddle Lane, Exeter.
