Tasty treats in store with Co-op opening

Offers, promotions and samples will be available in and around the new Co-op store when it opens this week.

A computer-generated image of how the new Co-op store in the LUU will look

A computer-generated image of how the new Co-op store in the LUU will look. January 2019

Free tasty treats and deals will help celebrate the community retailer's first ever franchise on a university campus.

Formerly known as Essentials, the new store – situated in Leeds University Union (LUU) – will continue to be run by LUU staff and members, opening its doors for the first time on Wednesday 20 February.

It will serve up an extended selection of products, including an enhanced in-store bakery, Fairtrade products, vegan and free-from ranges, meal ideas and essentials. It will also include a tap to top-up water bottles for free.

A range of Yorkshire goodies will be available, with producers from the city including Rakusen’s, the Leeds Brewery and Elland-based Suma wholefoods.

Opening hours will also be extended, from 8am until 10pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 6pm on Sundays. 

Staff and students holding an NUS extra (TOTUM) card receive a 10% discount off their groceries. A funding boost is also provided for local good causes through the Co-op’s Membership scheme. Those currently benefitting include: 

  • Rainbow Junktion – a café in Regent Terrace, Leeds, dedicated to preventing food waste
  • Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre (HEART), which works to confront loneliness and social isolation; and
  • Hyde Park Picture House, which is raising funds to offer free screenings to enable people living with dementia to reconnect with memories.

Di Harvey, Store Manager, has worked for LUU for almost 30 years. She said: “This is a really exciting partnership, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to launch the store. It has a fantastic new look and we are looking forward to serving the campus.

“It will really transform the shopping experience on campus. We will be working hard to ensure the store is at the heart of campus community life.”

Union Affairs Officer, Chris Morris, said: “Following student feedback, we have been keen to secure a leading retail partner, and the Co-op is the perfect fit, delivering real benefits to student life and shared values, including concern for the environment, community, trading fairly, health and wellbeing and employment opportunities.”

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