East of England Co-op’s first food store in Hertfordshire opens in Bishop’s Stortford

The East of England Co-op group’s first food store in Hertfordshire has opened in Bishop’s Stortford.

The outlet opposite the town’s railway station is part of Solum’s £200m Goodsyard development of flats, retail units, car parks, a hotel and a bus interchange.

The shop has created 22 new jobs and staff had a busy first shift on Friday (August 9) when the doors opened for commuters and other customers.

Manager Elaine Payne has worked for the business for eight years, most recently in Maldon, Essex. She said: “We’ve had a great opening day, with staff busy welcoming local faces.”

Doug Field, chief executive officer at East of England Co-op, said: “We’re thrilled to have opened our first Hertfordshire food store in Bishop’s Stortford.

“New store openings are great news for our members and the communities in which our stores are based.

“We look forward to being an active part of the local area and will support food banks and the other community outreach programmes through our Community Cares Fund.”

A spokesperson for Solum said: “We are delighted to welcome the East of England Co-op to the Goodsyard, particularly as their first foray into Hertfordshire.

“While their food store anchors our scheme, being the first occupier to be announced to date, we firmly believe their active approach to engaging with and supporting local communities offers a true point of difference, which will be experienced by not only residents of the Goodsyard but the wider town and station users alike.”

There is a Co-op in Sawbridgeworth but it is run by Central Co-op.