Co-op has served-up four petrol filling stations this week with improved convenience stores on site following a multi-million investment supporting around 70 local jobs.

Rugby referee Nigel Owens officially opens the store.

International rugby referee Nigel Owens officially opens the Pontyates store

The investment has overhauled the forecourts and extended the stores to create a combined 6,500sq ft of additional retail space, providing a local hub that meets the food and fuel needs of their community.

Co-op had undertaken an extensive programme of works after acquiring the former Pearce’s Garage site in Drakewells, Gunnislake, in Cornwall, developing a new purpose-built 2,250sq ft convenience store to serve the community. The site opened today (Friday, 7 August).

The retailer also launched a new petrol filling station with a purpose-built 2,700sq ft convenience store following a £2.75m investment in Pontyates, Carmarthenshire. In addition to an overhaul of the fuel infrastructure, the store includes Amazon Lockers, customer car parking, hot food, Costa coffee express and bakery alongside an increased focus on fresh, heathy produce, award winning wines, ready meals and pizzas, free-from and vegan products, Fairtrade, food-to-go and, everyday essentials.

The Co-op’s existing site in Coppenhall, Crewe, was also given a major makeover with the food store on site more than doubling in size, while its fuel station and store in Roundhay, Leeds, also re-opened this week following a revamp.

Eddie Jenkinson, national fuels manager, Co-op, said: “The sites have all been transformed following major investment, and all have the Co-op’s new look and feel. A petrol filling station is a local hub – providing the food and fuel needs for communities with extended stores to offer greater convenience and choice for consumers shopping closer to where they live or work.”