A NEW community has its first local shop after the Co-op opened a store in Houlton.
The new £600,000 store – which is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy – has officially opened at Dollman Farm, creating 20 new jobs.
The store features artwork specially created by children from St Gabriel’s C of E Academy, who joined the store team to officially cut the ribbon at the launch along with children from the school’s adjoining nursery.
A food bank collection point has also been installed to support Rugby Foodbank amid increased demand caused by the pandemic.
To mark the launch, Store Manager Michael Young made a donation of food and essentials to the foodbank.
He said the store team were looking forward to being part of the community and working with Rugby Foodbank, and thanked St Gabriel’s Academy for helping to cut the ribbon and for the children’s artwork.
He said: “It is great to finally open our doors to the local community as the team have been desperate to support our neighbours and ensure they can access food and essentials during the pandemic.
“All of us here at the new store are proud to be part of such a great new community in Houlton so we are delighted to be able to support Rugby Foodbank, which is offering a lifeline to vulnerable residents and people struggling in these testing times.
“All the team were so happy to be joined on our big day by children from St Gabriel’s C of E Academy and I would like to thank the children for their brilliant artwork which we are so proud to be able to include inside the store and see every day while we serve the community.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their patience. It has been long-awaited, but hopefully everyone will enjoy the store as much as we do.”
The artwork created by St Gabriel’s is entitled ‘What Houlton Means to Me’ and Andrew Taylor, Headteacher at St Gabriel’s C of E Academy, said everyone at the school was thrilled to be involved.
He said: “The children had a great time completing the project which saw them draw inspiration from our fantastic new community and the area’s history. They have been really excited about seeing the finished design and to join in with the launch day by officially opening the store.”
The new food store is the latest phase of the Dollman Farm development at Houlton, the neighbourhood taking shape at the site of Rugby’s old radio masts.
Mike van den Berg, Senior Development Manager at Urban&Civic, said: “We are delighted to welcome Central England Co-op into the Houlton Community. This store is the first for Houlton and we are excited to see our community benefit from access to everyday essentials on their doorstep.
“Our existing neighbours at Dollman Farm are also looking forward to working together to enhance sustainability, promote fewer journeys to large supermarkets, and reduce our collective carbon footprint.”
