East of England Co-op announces plans for West Mersea Destination Food store

The East of England Co-op has announced plans to refurbish and regenerate its Food store on Barfield Road, West Mersea. 

A planning application has been submitted, which if approved, will result in the full refurbishment and modernisation of the existing store. The local community will also benefit from access to the first West Mersea East of England Co-op Travel branch which will be situated within the Barfield Road store. 

The store will also feature more environmentally friendly refrigeration and solar panels, reflecting the East of England Co-op's commitment to being environmentally conscious. 

Andy Rigby, Acting Chief Executive Officer at the East of England Co-op, said: “We’re pleased to announce our exciting plans for West Mersea, bringing our family of businesses together under one roof. These proposals will allow us to enhance our member and customer experience through upgrades to store sustainability and improved shopping environment. This is part of our commitment to continue supporting the local communities this store serves, by providing quality products and exceptional customer service. 

“We want to do everything we can to minimise our environmental impact, which is why we’re placing a large emphasis on the stores’ sustainability throughout all of our refurbishments. These are crucial upgrades as we continue to invest in and reshape our wider portfolio.” 

The planning application submitted also includes the conversion of first floor space into three, two-bedroom apartments, creating more housing for the local community.  

The proposal also includes the relocation of the existing East of England Co-op Funeral branch on Kingsland Road to be situated alongside the Barfield Road store. 

The application and planned investment are part of the ambitious plans to reshape East of England Co-op’s retail portfolio, in addition to its refurbishment programme of current stores in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. 

The East of England Co-op is the largest independent retailer in East Anglia with Food stores, Travel branches and local Funeral Service branches across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.