THE Co-op will open two stores in two days within three miles of each other around Colwyn Bay

The food retail chain has opened doors on the first new look store in Old Colwyn today (Thursday, September 26) which will be followed tomorrow with the long awaited new store in Rhos-on-Sea on Friday 27.

Between the two stores, which will both run on 100 percent renewable energy, a combined £2.75 million investment has been made into the area and is expected to support more than 30 jobs.

Carl Pettersson, Co-op Area Manager, said: “We have been receiving a great response and reaction to the improvements. Both stores enable Co-op to better serve the community - we are delighted to have the opportunity to make further significant investment in North Wales.

"Our aim is for the stores to operate at the heart of local life - a community hub. Making a difference and creating value in their communities through job creation, support for local causes and backing for Welsh agriculture and local suppliers. The investment is a great way for the Co-op to mark its 175th anniversary year.”

The reopening of the Old Colwyn petrol filling station, on Abergele Road, follows a three month, £1 million programme of works that commenced in June to overhaul the site infrastructure and store. The works have added replacement tanks, a forecourt and canopy as well as customer car parking, an in store bakery and Costa Coffee.

In Rhos-on-Sea, the Co-op has invested £1.75M to relocate to a larger site at the former United Reformed church hall on the corner of Colwyn and Penrhyn Avenue. – also offering customer car parking, in-store bakery and Costa Coffee.

The development has given a new lease of life to the former church hall which was disused and had fallen into a state of disrepair. The store opening will include the unveiling of a salvaged stone plinth from the former methodist church which has been incorporated into the new design.